DHA Acupuncture Practitioner exam questions

6 worked Acupuncture Practitioner practice questions

Original exam-style questions from the bank, spread across the blueprint domains. They are not real or recalled exam questions. Try each one, then open the answer for the rationale and reference. None of them appear in the free mock exam, so reading them will not spoil it.

1. Question 1 · Needling Techniques and Related Therapies

   CV-17 (Shanzhong) lies over the sternum, where a congenital sternal foramen may be present. Which needling method is recommended at this point?

   1. ADeep perpendicular needling
   2. BOblique needling towards the heart
   3. CTransverse needling along the skin
   4. DPerpendicular needling with strong manipulation
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Transverse needling along the skin

   Points over bone with thin overlying tissue, such as CV-17, are needled transversely along the skin. A sternal foramen can allow a perpendicular needle to pass through the sternum to the pericardium and heart, which has caused fatal tamponade. Deep perpendicular needling is therefore contraindicated here.

   Reference: Deadman, Al-Khafaji and Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture, 2nd ed.

2. Question 2 · Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine

   Which group of qualities is classified as Yang in TCM theory?

   1. ACold, stillness and downward movement
   2. BHeat, activity and upward movement
   3. CMoisture, substance and interior
   4. DDarkness, rest and contraction
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Heat, activity and upward movement

   Yang is associated with heat, activity, upward and outward movement, function and light. Yin is associated with cold, rest, substance, moisture, interior and darkness. The two are interdependent and in dynamic balance.

   Reference: Maciocia, The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, 3rd ed.

3. Question 3 · Infection Control and Clean Needle Technique

   What is the correct way to handle a used acupuncture needle after removal?

   1. APlace it straight into a sharps container
   2. BRecap it and put it in general waste
   3. CClean it with alcohol for the next patient
   4. DCollect used needles in a tray for later
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Place it straight into a sharps container

   Single-use sterile needles must be placed immediately into an approved sharps container after removal and never reused or recapped. Collecting needles in a tray or recapping increases the risk of needlestick injury. Sharps containers should be closed when three quarters full.

   Reference: CCAHM Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th ed.

4. Question 4 · Point Location and Function

   Which point is the Yuan-source point of the Lung channel?

   1. ALU-7 Lieque
   2. BLU-9 Taiyuan
   3. CLU-5 Chize
   4. DLU-1 Zhongfu
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. LU-9 Taiyuan

   On the Yin channels, the Yuan-source point is the same as the Shu-stream point, and for the Lung this is LU-9 Taiyuan at the wrist. LU-7 is the Luo-connecting point and LU-5 is the He-sea point. LU-1 is the Front-Mu point of the Lung.

   Reference: Deadman, Al-Khafaji and Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture, 2nd ed.

5. Question 5 · Point Location and Function

   Which point is the Front-Mu point of the Stomach?

   1. ACV-4 Guanyuan
   2. BCV-17 Shanzhong
   3. CST-25 Tianshu
   4. DCV-12 Zhongwan
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. CV-12 Zhongwan

   CV-12 Zhongwan, midway between the umbilicus and the xiphisternal junction, is the Front-Mu point of the Stomach and the Hui-meeting point of the Fu organs. ST-25 is the Front-Mu point of the Large Intestine and CV-4 of the Small Intestine. CV-17 is the Front-Mu point of the Pericardium.

   Reference: Deadman, Al-Khafaji and Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture, 2nd ed.

6. Question 6 · Safety, Contraindications and Adverse Events

   A patient taking warfarin with a stable INR asks for acupuncture for knee pain. What is the most appropriate approach?

   1. AAcupuncture is absolutely contraindicated
   2. BStop warfarin for 3 days before treatment
   3. CUse strong cupping to reduce bruising
   4. DUse gentle needling and press after removal
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Use gentle needling and press after removal

   Anticoagulation is not an absolute contraindication, but bleeding and bruising risk is higher. Gentle needling, avoiding deep needling near major vessels and strong cupping, and applying pressure after needle removal reduce risk. The practitioner must never advise stopping a prescribed anticoagulant.

   Reference: WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture, 1999