TCM board ques ons/ TCM Tests Daily Ques ons:
Founda ons Board Exam Prep/ TCM Board Exam With
complete solu on RATED A+ NEW EDITION
Which of the following can confirm an exterior Wind pa ern?
A. Hands and feet feel cold
B. Back of neck feels hot
C. Hands feel cold
D. Dorsum of hand feels hot - Ans D. Dorsum of hand feels hot
though a pa!ent might feel subjec!vely cold or has shivers, the back of the hand (also the
forehead) will be palpated as warmer than the palm whether the pa ern is one of wind-cold or
wind-heat; a hot dorsum within an exterior pa ern indicates invasion of wind while hot palms
usually indicate yin xu - The Founda!ons of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 391; 2005
Edi!on, page 370
A 12 year-old male has Allergic Purpura. What are the symptoms?
A. red or purple skin discolora!ons that do not blanch on applied pressure, fever, joint pain
B. rash, itchiness, difficulty breathing, conges!on, abdominal pain, mental confusion, dizziness
C. dry, red patches that resemble a burn, blisters with draining fluid, pruri!s
D. red-hot edematous skin, lymphangi!s, regional lymphadenopathy - Ans A. red or purple skin
discolora!ons 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 affec!ng children; allergic purpura is a type of vasculi!s (inflamma!on of blood
,vessels) affec!ng the small blood vessels; when the skin blood vessels become inflamed the
vessels start leaking blood which causes a purplish, bruise-like rash which is painless (purpura);
the rash does not change color when pressure is applied; the symptoms of allergic purpura are
o<en preceded by a cold or flu; other symptoms of HSP include abdominal pain and joint pain -
The Merck Manual, 18th Edi!on, page 275
The western model's explana!on for diarrhea and abdominal distension are normally
a ributed to the Large Intes!ne but in Chinese Medicine these disorders are usually iden!fied
with the
A. Small Intes!ne
B. Lung
C. Liver
D. Spleen - Ans D. Spleen
Source: the Spleen controls the transforma!on-transporta!on of food and liquids and raises the
qi; when the Spleen is weak the qi falls along with the failed food-liquid transforma!on resul!ng
in loose stools or diarrhea, which in western medicine is associated with the Large Intes!ne; in
TCM the Large Intes!ne controls passages and conduc!on; that is, it gets food from the Small
Intes!ne, transforms it into stools that are moved or conducted downwards; the Large Intes!ne
has the further func!on of transforming stools and reabsorbing water; when stools are formed,
the Large Intes!ne reabsorbs some of the fluids; the amount of fluid reabsorp!on will
determine whether the stool is normal, dry, or too loose - The Founda!ons of Chinese
Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 205; 2005 Edi!on, page 195; 1989 Edi!on, page 115
Which point Regulates the intes!nes and transforms stagna!on; Clears damp heat and
alleviates diarrhea and dysenteric disorder; Regulates the Spleen and Stomach; and Ac!vates
the channel and alleviates pain?
A. ST-39 (xiajuxu)
B. ST-38 (!aokou)
C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
D. LI-11 (quchi) - Ans C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
,Source: lower he-sea point and sea of blood point; ST-37 (shangjuxu) is a main point for trea!ng
intes!nal problems (especially diarrhea and dysentery) whether due to deficiency or excess
condi!ons; ST-37 (shangjuxu) also clears intes!nal obstruc!ons and stagna!ons (distension,
cons!pa!on); being so close to ST-36 (zusanli), ST-37 (shangjuxu) has a beneficial effect in
tonifying and regula!ng the Stomach and Spleen; ST-37 (shangjuxu) moves the qi and blood in
the lower leg and can be used to treat leg atrophy, hemiplegia, leg pain, etc. whether due to
excess or deficiency - A Manual of Acupuncture, Deadman, 2nd Edi!on, 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 Intes!ne
D. Heart, Kidney, Large Intes!ne - Ans B. Gall Bladder, Heart, Liver, Spleen
Source: Key herb characteris!cs: nourishes Heart yin and Liver blood, promotes sleep, inhibits
swea!ng. - Materia Medica, Bensky, 3rd Edi!on, page 928
Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to
A. dilate
B. become porous
C. fibrillate
D. constrict - Ans D. constrict
Source: angiotensin II is an extremely potent vasoconstrictor; it also increases release of
adrenaline, reinforcing vasoconstric!on and increases the heart rate and force of contrac!on;
angiotensin II increases re-absorp!on of sodium by the kidneys and s!mulates secre!on of
aldosterone from the adrenal cortex; aldosterone further increases sodium re-absorp!on and
water reten!on 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 reduc!on in blood pressure
, A pa!ent has dry cough, dizziness, !nnitus, night sweats, and a peeled tongue. What 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 - Ans B. Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, Nourish Body Fluids
Source: Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency; ETIOLOGY: the e!ologies that cause Kidney yin xu can
also lead to this pa ern; these are: 1) chronic overwork; 2) excess sex; 3) loss of Body Fluids; 4)
chronic bleeding; 5) chronic illness; 6) excess intake of Kidney yang herb tonics; these e!ologies
can be combined with chronic worrying which harms Lung qi; PRECURSORS TO PATTERN: 1)
Kidney yin xu; 2) chronic Lung yin xu developing to include Kidney yin xu; PATTERN
DEVELOPMENT: this pa ern can develop into Empty-Fire and bleeding from the Empty-Fire
lodging in the Blood - The Founda!ons of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 644; 2005
Edi!on, page 609; 1989 Edi!on, page 261
Which 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 downward?
A. vision area
B. speech number 2 area
C. balance area
D. leg and motor sensory area - Ans 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
Founda ons Board Exam Prep/ TCM Board Exam With
complete solu on RATED A+ NEW EDITION
Which of the following can confirm an exterior Wind pa ern?
A. Hands and feet feel cold
B. Back of neck feels hot
C. Hands feel cold
D. Dorsum of hand feels hot - Ans D. Dorsum of hand feels hot
though a pa!ent might feel subjec!vely cold or has shivers, the back of the hand (also the
forehead) will be palpated as warmer than the palm whether the pa ern is one of wind-cold or
wind-heat; a hot dorsum within an exterior pa ern indicates invasion of wind while hot palms
usually indicate yin xu - The Founda!ons of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 391; 2005
Edi!on, page 370
A 12 year-old male has Allergic Purpura. What are the symptoms?
A. red or purple skin discolora!ons that do not blanch on applied pressure, fever, joint pain
B. rash, itchiness, difficulty breathing, conges!on, abdominal pain, mental confusion, dizziness
C. dry, red patches that resemble a burn, blisters with draining fluid, pruri!s
D. red-hot edematous skin, lymphangi!s, regional lymphadenopathy - Ans A. red or purple skin
discolora!ons 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 affec!ng children; allergic purpura is a type of vasculi!s (inflamma!on of blood
,vessels) affec!ng the small blood vessels; when the skin blood vessels become inflamed the
vessels start leaking blood which causes a purplish, bruise-like rash which is painless (purpura);
the rash does not change color when pressure is applied; the symptoms of allergic purpura are
o<en preceded by a cold or flu; other symptoms of HSP include abdominal pain and joint pain -
The Merck Manual, 18th Edi!on, page 275
The western model's explana!on for diarrhea and abdominal distension are normally
a ributed to the Large Intes!ne but in Chinese Medicine these disorders are usually iden!fied
with the
A. Small Intes!ne
B. Lung
C. Liver
D. Spleen - Ans D. Spleen
Source: the Spleen controls the transforma!on-transporta!on of food and liquids and raises the
qi; when the Spleen is weak the qi falls along with the failed food-liquid transforma!on resul!ng
in loose stools or diarrhea, which in western medicine is associated with the Large Intes!ne; in
TCM the Large Intes!ne controls passages and conduc!on; that is, it gets food from the Small
Intes!ne, transforms it into stools that are moved or conducted downwards; the Large Intes!ne
has the further func!on of transforming stools and reabsorbing water; when stools are formed,
the Large Intes!ne reabsorbs some of the fluids; the amount of fluid reabsorp!on will
determine whether the stool is normal, dry, or too loose - The Founda!ons of Chinese
Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 205; 2005 Edi!on, page 195; 1989 Edi!on, page 115
Which point Regulates the intes!nes and transforms stagna!on; Clears damp heat and
alleviates diarrhea and dysenteric disorder; Regulates the Spleen and Stomach; and Ac!vates
the channel and alleviates pain?
A. ST-39 (xiajuxu)
B. ST-38 (!aokou)
C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
D. LI-11 (quchi) - Ans C. ST-37 (shangjuxu)
,Source: lower he-sea point and sea of blood point; ST-37 (shangjuxu) is a main point for trea!ng
intes!nal problems (especially diarrhea and dysentery) whether due to deficiency or excess
condi!ons; ST-37 (shangjuxu) also clears intes!nal obstruc!ons and stagna!ons (distension,
cons!pa!on); being so close to ST-36 (zusanli), ST-37 (shangjuxu) has a beneficial effect in
tonifying and regula!ng the Stomach and Spleen; ST-37 (shangjuxu) moves the qi and blood in
the lower leg and can be used to treat leg atrophy, hemiplegia, leg pain, etc. whether due to
excess or deficiency - A Manual of Acupuncture, Deadman, 2nd Edi!on, 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 Intes!ne
D. Heart, Kidney, Large Intes!ne - Ans B. Gall Bladder, Heart, Liver, Spleen
Source: Key herb characteris!cs: nourishes Heart yin and Liver blood, promotes sleep, inhibits
swea!ng. - Materia Medica, Bensky, 3rd Edi!on, page 928
Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to
A. dilate
B. become porous
C. fibrillate
D. constrict - Ans D. constrict
Source: angiotensin II is an extremely potent vasoconstrictor; it also increases release of
adrenaline, reinforcing vasoconstric!on and increases the heart rate and force of contrac!on;
angiotensin II increases re-absorp!on of sodium by the kidneys and s!mulates secre!on of
aldosterone from the adrenal cortex; aldosterone further increases sodium re-absorp!on and
water reten!on 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 reduc!on in blood pressure
, A pa!ent has dry cough, dizziness, !nnitus, night sweats, and a peeled tongue. What 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 - Ans B. Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, Nourish Body Fluids
Source: Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency; ETIOLOGY: the e!ologies that cause Kidney yin xu can
also lead to this pa ern; these are: 1) chronic overwork; 2) excess sex; 3) loss of Body Fluids; 4)
chronic bleeding; 5) chronic illness; 6) excess intake of Kidney yang herb tonics; these e!ologies
can be combined with chronic worrying which harms Lung qi; PRECURSORS TO PATTERN: 1)
Kidney yin xu; 2) chronic Lung yin xu developing to include Kidney yin xu; PATTERN
DEVELOPMENT: this pa ern can develop into Empty-Fire and bleeding from the Empty-Fire
lodging in the Blood - The Founda!ons of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, 2015, page 644; 2005
Edi!on, page 609; 1989 Edi!on, page 261
Which 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 downward?
A. vision area
B. speech number 2 area
C. balance area
D. leg and motor sensory area - Ans 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
