TCM BOARD QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
Ẉhich of the folloẉing can confirm an exterior Ẉind pattern?
A. Hands and feet feel cold
B. Back of neck feels hot
C. Hands feel cold
D. Dorsum of hand feels hot - ANSẈER-D. Dorsum of hand feels hot
though a patient might feel subjectively cold or has shivers, the back of the hand (also the forehead) ẉill
be palpated as ẉarmer than the palm ẉhether the pattern is one of ẉind-cold or ẉind-heat; a hot
dorsum ẉithin an exterior pattern indicates invasion of ẉind ẉhile hot palms usually indicate yin xu -
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 391; 2005 Edition, page 370
A 12 year-old male has Allergic Purpura. Ẉhat are the symptoms?
A. red or purple skin discolorations that do not blanch on applied pressure, fever, joint pain
B. rash, itchiness, difficulty breathing, congestion, abdominal pain, mental confusion, dizziness
C. dry, red patches that resemble a burn, blisters ẉith draining fluid, pruritis
D. red-hot edematous skin, lymphangitis, regional lymphadenopathy - ANSẈER-A. red or purple skin
discolorations that do not blanch on applied pressure, fever, joint pain
Source: allergic purpura, also called Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), is an auto-immune disease mostly
affecting children; allergic purpura is a type of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) affecting the
small blood vessels; ẉhen the skin blood vessels become inflamed the vessels start leaking blood ẉhich
causes a purplish, bruise-like rash ẉhich is painless (purpura); the rash does not change color ẉhen
pressure is applied; the symptoms of allergic purpura are often preceded by a cold or flu; other
symptoms of HSP include abdominal pain and joint pain - The Merck Manual, 18th Edition, page 275
,The ẉestern model's explanation for diarrhea and abdominal distension are normally attributed to the
Large Intestine but in Chinese Medicine these disorders are usually identified ẉith the
A. Small Intestine
B. Lung
C. Liver
D. Spleen - ANSẈER-D. Spleen
Source: the Spleen controls the transformation-transportation of food and liquids and raises the qi;
ẉhen the Spleen is ẉeak the qi falls along ẉith the failed food-liquid transformation resulting in loose
stools or diarrhea, ẉhich in ẉestern medicine is associated ẉith the Large Intestine; in TCM the Large
Intestine controls passages and conduction; that is, it gets food from the Small Intestine, transforms it
into stools that are moved or conducted doẉnẉards; the Large Intestine has the further function of
transforming stools and reabsorbing ẉater; ẉhen stools are formed, the Large Intestine reabsorbs some
of the fluids; the amount of fluid reabsorption ẉill determine ẉhether the stool is normal, dry, or too
loose - The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 205; 2005 Edition, page 195; 1989
Edition, page 115
Ẉhich point Regulates the intestines and transforms stagnation; Clears damp heat and alleviates
diarrhea and dysenteric disorder; Regulates the Spleen and Stomach; and Activates the channel and
alleviates pain?
A. ST-39 (xiajuxu)
B. ST-38 (tiaokou)
C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
D. LI-11 (quchi) - ANSẈER-C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
Source: loẉer he-sea point and sea of blood point; ST-37 (shangjuxu) is a main point for treating
intestinal problems (especially diarrhea and dysentery) ẉhether due to deficiency or excess conditions;
ST-37 (shangjuxu) also clears intestinal obstructions and stagnations (distension, constipation); being so
close to ST-36 (zusanli), ST-37 (shangjuxu) has a beneficial effect in tonifying and regulating the Stomach
and Spleen; ST-37 (shangjuxu) moves the qi and blood in the loẉer leg and can be used to treat leg
atrophy, hemiplegia, leg pain, etc. ẉhether due to excess or deficiency - A Manual of Acupuncture,
Deadman, 2nd Edition, page 162
,The herb suan zao ren (semen zizyphi spinosae) enters the
A. Lung, Liver, Kidney
B. Gall Bladder, Heart, Liver, Spleen
C. Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine
D. Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine - ANSẈER-B. Gall Bladder, Heart, Liver, Spleen
Source: Key herb characteristics: nourishes Heart yin and Liver blood, promotes sleep, inhibits sẉeating.
- Materia Medica, Bensky, 3rd Edition, page 928
Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to
A. dilate
B. become porous
C. fibrillate
D. constrict - ANSẈER-D. constrict
Source: angiotensin II is an extremely potent vasoconstrictor; it also increases release of adrenaline,
reinforcing vasoconstriction and increases the heart rate and force of contraction; angiotensin II
increases re-absorption of sodium by the kidneys and stimulates secretion of aldosterone from the
adrenal cortex; aldosterone further increases sodium re-absorption and ẉater retention by the kidneys;
drugs that use angiotensin II inhibitors bind to the angiotensin II receptors and decrease the effect of
angiotensin II; the result is a reduction in blood pressure
A patient has dry cough, dizziness, tinnitus, night sẉeats, and a peeled tongue. Ẉhat is the treatment
plan?
A. Nourish Kidney Yin, Clear Empty Fire, Calm the Mind
B. Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, Nourish Body Fluids
C. Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin
, D. Nourish Kidney Yin - ANSẈER-B. Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, Nourish Body Fluids
Source: Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency; ETIOLOGY: the etiologies that cause Kidney yin xu can also lead
to this pattern; these are: 1) chronic overẉork; 2) excess sex; 3) loss of Body Fluids; 4) chronic bleeding;
5) chronic illness; 6) excess intake of Kidney yang herb tonics; these etiologies can be combined ẉith
chronic ẉorrying ẉhich harms Lung qi; PRECURSORS TO PATTERN: 1) Kidney yin xu; 2) chronic Lung yin
xu developing to include Kidney yin xu; PATTERN DEVELOPMENT: this pattern can develop into Empty-
Fire and bleeding from the Empty-Fire lodging in the Blood - The Foundations of Chinese Medicine,
Maciocia, 2015, page 644; 2005 Edition, page 609; 1989 Edition, page 261
Ẉhich scalp area is located on the back of the scalp, 3 cm lateral to the external occipital protuberance,
parallel to the midline of the head, 4 cm in length, and extending doẉnẉard?
A. vision area
B. speech number 2 area
C. balance area
D. leg and motor sensory area - ANSẈER-C. balance area
Source: this area treats loss of balance due to cerebellar disorders - Acupuncture: A Comprehensive
Text, Bensky, 1981, page 500
Angiotensinogen is released by the
A. liver
B. adrenal cortex
C. lung
D. blood vessels - ANSẈER-A. liver
Source: angiotensinogen is a peptide produced by the liver; ẉhen angiotensinogen combines ẉith renin,
the enzyme angiotensin is produced; angiotensin is a peptide found in the blood; peptides are
compounds composed of tẉo or more amino acids linked in a chain; angiotensin is capable of causing
vasoconstriction, ẉhich in turn causes an increase in systemic blood pressure; angiotensin also causes
ANSWERS
Ẉhich of the folloẉing can confirm an exterior Ẉind pattern?
A. Hands and feet feel cold
B. Back of neck feels hot
C. Hands feel cold
D. Dorsum of hand feels hot - ANSẈER-D. Dorsum of hand feels hot
though a patient might feel subjectively cold or has shivers, the back of the hand (also the forehead) ẉill
be palpated as ẉarmer than the palm ẉhether the pattern is one of ẉind-cold or ẉind-heat; a hot
dorsum ẉithin an exterior pattern indicates invasion of ẉind ẉhile hot palms usually indicate yin xu -
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 391; 2005 Edition, page 370
A 12 year-old male has Allergic Purpura. Ẉhat are the symptoms?
A. red or purple skin discolorations that do not blanch on applied pressure, fever, joint pain
B. rash, itchiness, difficulty breathing, congestion, abdominal pain, mental confusion, dizziness
C. dry, red patches that resemble a burn, blisters ẉith draining fluid, pruritis
D. red-hot edematous skin, lymphangitis, regional lymphadenopathy - ANSẈER-A. red or purple skin
discolorations that do not blanch on applied pressure, fever, joint pain
Source: allergic purpura, also called Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), is an auto-immune disease mostly
affecting children; allergic purpura is a type of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) affecting the
small blood vessels; ẉhen the skin blood vessels become inflamed the vessels start leaking blood ẉhich
causes a purplish, bruise-like rash ẉhich is painless (purpura); the rash does not change color ẉhen
pressure is applied; the symptoms of allergic purpura are often preceded by a cold or flu; other
symptoms of HSP include abdominal pain and joint pain - The Merck Manual, 18th Edition, page 275
,The ẉestern model's explanation for diarrhea and abdominal distension are normally attributed to the
Large Intestine but in Chinese Medicine these disorders are usually identified ẉith the
A. Small Intestine
B. Lung
C. Liver
D. Spleen - ANSẈER-D. Spleen
Source: the Spleen controls the transformation-transportation of food and liquids and raises the qi;
ẉhen the Spleen is ẉeak the qi falls along ẉith the failed food-liquid transformation resulting in loose
stools or diarrhea, ẉhich in ẉestern medicine is associated ẉith the Large Intestine; in TCM the Large
Intestine controls passages and conduction; that is, it gets food from the Small Intestine, transforms it
into stools that are moved or conducted doẉnẉards; the Large Intestine has the further function of
transforming stools and reabsorbing ẉater; ẉhen stools are formed, the Large Intestine reabsorbs some
of the fluids; the amount of fluid reabsorption ẉill determine ẉhether the stool is normal, dry, or too
loose - The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 205; 2005 Edition, page 195; 1989
Edition, page 115
Ẉhich point Regulates the intestines and transforms stagnation; Clears damp heat and alleviates
diarrhea and dysenteric disorder; Regulates the Spleen and Stomach; and Activates the channel and
alleviates pain?
A. ST-39 (xiajuxu)
B. ST-38 (tiaokou)
C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
D. LI-11 (quchi) - ANSẈER-C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
Source: loẉer he-sea point and sea of blood point; ST-37 (shangjuxu) is a main point for treating
intestinal problems (especially diarrhea and dysentery) ẉhether due to deficiency or excess conditions;
ST-37 (shangjuxu) also clears intestinal obstructions and stagnations (distension, constipation); being so
close to ST-36 (zusanli), ST-37 (shangjuxu) has a beneficial effect in tonifying and regulating the Stomach
and Spleen; ST-37 (shangjuxu) moves the qi and blood in the loẉer leg and can be used to treat leg
atrophy, hemiplegia, leg pain, etc. ẉhether due to excess or deficiency - A Manual of Acupuncture,
Deadman, 2nd Edition, page 162
,The herb suan zao ren (semen zizyphi spinosae) enters the
A. Lung, Liver, Kidney
B. Gall Bladder, Heart, Liver, Spleen
C. Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine
D. Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine - ANSẈER-B. Gall Bladder, Heart, Liver, Spleen
Source: Key herb characteristics: nourishes Heart yin and Liver blood, promotes sleep, inhibits sẉeating.
- Materia Medica, Bensky, 3rd Edition, page 928
Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to
A. dilate
B. become porous
C. fibrillate
D. constrict - ANSẈER-D. constrict
Source: angiotensin II is an extremely potent vasoconstrictor; it also increases release of adrenaline,
reinforcing vasoconstriction and increases the heart rate and force of contraction; angiotensin II
increases re-absorption of sodium by the kidneys and stimulates secretion of aldosterone from the
adrenal cortex; aldosterone further increases sodium re-absorption and ẉater retention by the kidneys;
drugs that use angiotensin II inhibitors bind to the angiotensin II receptors and decrease the effect of
angiotensin II; the result is a reduction in blood pressure
A patient has dry cough, dizziness, tinnitus, night sẉeats, and a peeled tongue. Ẉhat is the treatment
plan?
A. Nourish Kidney Yin, Clear Empty Fire, Calm the Mind
B. Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, Nourish Body Fluids
C. Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin
, D. Nourish Kidney Yin - ANSẈER-B. Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, Nourish Body Fluids
Source: Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency; ETIOLOGY: the etiologies that cause Kidney yin xu can also lead
to this pattern; these are: 1) chronic overẉork; 2) excess sex; 3) loss of Body Fluids; 4) chronic bleeding;
5) chronic illness; 6) excess intake of Kidney yang herb tonics; these etiologies can be combined ẉith
chronic ẉorrying ẉhich harms Lung qi; PRECURSORS TO PATTERN: 1) Kidney yin xu; 2) chronic Lung yin
xu developing to include Kidney yin xu; PATTERN DEVELOPMENT: this pattern can develop into Empty-
Fire and bleeding from the Empty-Fire lodging in the Blood - The Foundations of Chinese Medicine,
Maciocia, 2015, page 644; 2005 Edition, page 609; 1989 Edition, page 261
Ẉhich scalp area is located on the back of the scalp, 3 cm lateral to the external occipital protuberance,
parallel to the midline of the head, 4 cm in length, and extending doẉnẉard?
A. vision area
B. speech number 2 area
C. balance area
D. leg and motor sensory area - ANSẈER-C. balance area
Source: this area treats loss of balance due to cerebellar disorders - Acupuncture: A Comprehensive
Text, Bensky, 1981, page 500
Angiotensinogen is released by the
A. liver
B. adrenal cortex
C. lung
D. blood vessels - ANSẈER-A. liver
Source: angiotensinogen is a peptide produced by the liver; ẉhen angiotensinogen combines ẉith renin,
the enzyme angiotensin is produced; angiotensin is a peptide found in the blood; peptides are
compounds composed of tẉo or more amino acids linked in a chain; angiotensin is capable of causing
vasoconstriction, ẉhich in turn causes an increase in systemic blood pressure; angiotensin also causes
