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NCCAOM BIOMEDICINE BOARD EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
1. Which of the following best describes the scope of the NCCAOM Biomedicine
exam?
A. Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment
B. Biomedical sciences, clinical assessment, and professional responsibilities
relevant to acupuncture practice
C. Acupuncture point location and needling technique
D. Chinese herbal formulas and their indications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Biomedicine exam assesses knowledge of biomedical sciences,
patient history and physical examination, clinical assessment, clinical decision-
making, and safety/professional responsibilities as they relate to the practice of
acupuncture and Oriental medicine .
2. What percentage of the NCCAOM Biomedicine exam is devoted to the
Biomedical Model domain?
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A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 80%
D. 90%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Domain I (Biomedical Model) accounts for 80% of the exam, while
Domain II (Safety and Professional Responsibilities) accounts for 20% .
3. A patient presents with a sudden, severe headache described as "the worst
headache of my life." What is the priority action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Perform a neurological assessment and refer emergently
C. Provide a darkened room for rest
D. Encourage hydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This presentation raises suspicion for subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-
threatening emergency requiring immediate neurological assessment and
emergent referral .
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4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the efferent (motor) limb of the corneal
reflex?
A. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
B. Facial nerve (CN VII)
C. Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
D. Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides the afferent (sensory) limb, while
the facial nerve (CN VII) provides the efferent (motor) limb that causes the eye to
blink .
5. A patient taking lisinopril for hypertension develops a persistent, dry cough.
This side effect is primarily attributed to the accumulation of which substance?
A. Bradykinin
B. Renin
C. Angiotensin II
D. Aldosterone
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Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block the breakdown of bradykinin, leading to its
accumulation in the lungs, which causes a dry cough in some patients .
6. A positive McMurray test indicates potential injury to which structure?
A. Meniscus
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Patellar tendon
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The McMurray test is a physical exam maneuver used to identify a tear
in the meniscus of the knee .
7. A 55-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe pain in the first
metatarsophalangeal joint. Laboratory results show elevated serum uric acid.
Which medication is most appropriate for acute management?
A. Allopurinol
B. Probenecid
NCCAOM BIOMEDICINE BOARD EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
1. Which of the following best describes the scope of the NCCAOM Biomedicine
exam?
A. Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment
B. Biomedical sciences, clinical assessment, and professional responsibilities
relevant to acupuncture practice
C. Acupuncture point location and needling technique
D. Chinese herbal formulas and their indications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Biomedicine exam assesses knowledge of biomedical sciences,
patient history and physical examination, clinical assessment, clinical decision-
making, and safety/professional responsibilities as they relate to the practice of
acupuncture and Oriental medicine .
2. What percentage of the NCCAOM Biomedicine exam is devoted to the
Biomedical Model domain?
,2|Page
A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 80%
D. 90%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Domain I (Biomedical Model) accounts for 80% of the exam, while
Domain II (Safety and Professional Responsibilities) accounts for 20% .
3. A patient presents with a sudden, severe headache described as "the worst
headache of my life." What is the priority action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Perform a neurological assessment and refer emergently
C. Provide a darkened room for rest
D. Encourage hydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This presentation raises suspicion for subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-
threatening emergency requiring immediate neurological assessment and
emergent referral .
,3|Page
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the efferent (motor) limb of the corneal
reflex?
A. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
B. Facial nerve (CN VII)
C. Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
D. Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides the afferent (sensory) limb, while
the facial nerve (CN VII) provides the efferent (motor) limb that causes the eye to
blink .
5. A patient taking lisinopril for hypertension develops a persistent, dry cough.
This side effect is primarily attributed to the accumulation of which substance?
A. Bradykinin
B. Renin
C. Angiotensin II
D. Aldosterone
, 4|Page
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block the breakdown of bradykinin, leading to its
accumulation in the lungs, which causes a dry cough in some patients .
6. A positive McMurray test indicates potential injury to which structure?
A. Meniscus
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Patellar tendon
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The McMurray test is a physical exam maneuver used to identify a tear
in the meniscus of the knee .
7. A 55-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe pain in the first
metatarsophalangeal joint. Laboratory results show elevated serum uric acid.
Which medication is most appropriate for acute management?
A. Allopurinol
B. Probenecid
