Acupuncture Practitioner Prometric exam questions with answers

1. Question 1Biomedical Knowledge, Red Flags and Referralmedium

   A patient arrives for a routine session and describes a sudden, severe headache that peaked within a minute, the worst of her life, starting an hour ago. What should the practitioner do?

   1. ACall emergency services immediately
   2. BNeedle points for headache and observe
   3. CAdvise painkillers and rest at home
   4. DBook a follow-up session in 2 days
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Call emergency services immediately

   A thunderclap headache can indicate subarachnoid haemorrhage and needs emergency hospital assessment. Treating with acupuncture or advising rest could delay life-saving care. The practitioner should record the event and the advice given.

2. Question 2Needling Techniques and Related Therapieshard

   A patient with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy asks for direct moxibustion on the feet. What is the most appropriate response?

   1. AUse direct moxa as reduced sensation allows strong heat
   2. BUse direct moxa only for a short time each session
   3. CUse direct moxa but apply ice afterwards
   4. DAvoid direct moxa on areas with reduced sensation
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. Avoid direct moxa on areas with reduced sensation

   Moxibustion can burn skin, and patients with reduced sensation cannot feel when heat becomes dangerous. In diabetic feet, burns heal poorly and may lead to ulceration or infection. Direct moxa should be avoided on areas with impaired sensation or poor circulation.

3. Question 3Ethics and Professional Practicemedium

   A patient with breast cancer says she wants acupuncture instead of the chemotherapy her oncologist recommended. What is the most appropriate response?

   1. AAgree and start a course of treatment
   2. BEncourage chemotherapy and offer supportive care
   3. CRefuse treatment and end the consultation
   4. DPromise that acupuncture will shrink the tumour
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Encourage chemotherapy and offer supportive care

   Acupuncture may be used alongside conventional care to help symptoms such as nausea or fatigue, but it is not a treatment for cancer. The practitioner should encourage her to discuss her concerns with her oncologist and must not make claims about treating the cancer. Agreeing to replace chemotherapy could cause serious harm.

4. Question 4Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicinemedium

   According to TCM theory, which type of Qi circulates outside the channels in the skin and muscles, protects the body from external pathogenic factors and controls the opening of the pores?

   1. AYing (Nutritive) Qi
   2. BZong (Gathering) Qi
   3. CYuan (Original) Qi
   4. DWei (Defensive) Qi
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. Wei (Defensive) Qi

   Wei Qi flows mainly outside the channels in the skin and muscles, warms the surface, controls the pores and defends against external pathogens. Ying Qi flows with Blood inside the channels and nourishes the body. Zong Qi gathers in the chest and supports breathing and circulation.

5. Question 5TCM Diagnosis and Pattern Differentiationeasy

   A practitioner feels a pulse that is taut like a guitar string. Which disharmony is this pulse quality most associated with?

   1. ALiver disharmony or pain
   2. BLung Qi deficiency
   3. CKidney Yang deficiency
   4. DSpleen Dampness
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Liver disharmony or pain

   A wiry (Xian) pulse feels taut like a string and is associated with Liver disharmonies, pain and phlegm. Deficiency patterns generally produce weak or empty pulses. Dampness typically gives a slippery pulse.

6. Question 6Needling Techniques and Related Therapiesmedium

   A patient requests cupping on the back of the legs. Which finding is a contraindication to cupping at that site?

   1. ATight hamstring muscles
   2. BProminent varicose veins
   3. CMild muscular aching
   4. DA previous sports injury
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Prominent varicose veins

   Cupping should be avoided over varicose veins, broken or inflamed skin, and areas of suspected deep vein thrombosis, as suction can damage fragile vessels. Muscle tightness and aching are common reasons patients request cupping. Patients should be warned that circular marks are expected.

7. Question 7Safety, Contraindications and Adverse Eventshard

   A woman who is 10 weeks pregnant asks for treatment for back pain. Which pair of points is traditionally avoided in pregnancy?

   1. AST-36 and PC-6
   2. BLU-7 and KI-6
   3. CGV-20 and HT-7
   4. DLI-4 and SP-6
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. LI-4 and SP-6

   LI-4 and SP-6 are traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy, along with BL-60, BL-67, GB-21 and points on the lower abdomen and lumbosacral region. Treatment in pregnancy should be gentle, with informed consent. PC-6 is often used for nausea in pregnancy.

8. Question 8Zang-Fu and Channel Theoryeasy

   In TCM theory, the Kidneys open into which sense organ?

   1. AEyes
   2. BEars
   3. CNose
   4. DMouth
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Ears

   The Kidneys open into the ears, so declining Kidney Essence is linked with hearing loss and tinnitus in older age. The Liver opens into the eyes, the Lungs into the nose and the Spleen into the mouth. The Heart opens into the tongue.

9. Question 9Point Location and Functionmedium

   Where is SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) located?

   1. A3 cun above the medial malleolus, behind the medial border of the tibia
   2. BIn the depression between the medial malleolus and Achilles tendon
   3. C2 cun above the medial malleolus, in front of the Achilles tendon
   4. DBelow the medial condyle of the tibia, in a depression
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. 3 cun above the medial malleolus, behind the medial border of the tibia

   SP-6 lies 3 cun above the prominence of the medial malleolus, just posterior to the medial border of the tibia. The depression between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon is KI-3, and the point below the medial tibial condyle is SP-9. SP-6 is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.

10. Question 10Safety, Contraindications and Adverse Eventsmedium

    A needle in the thigh cannot be withdrawn because the muscle has tightened around it. What is the most appropriate first step?

    1. APull firmly until it comes out
    2. BCut the needle at skin level
    3. CReassure, relax the patient and massage nearby
    4. DPush the needle deeper and rotate strongly
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Reassure, relax the patient and massage nearby

    A stuck needle is usually caused by muscle spasm. Reassuring the patient, letting them relax, massaging around the point or inserting another needle nearby usually releases it. Forceful pulling or cutting risks breaking the needle and leaving a fragment.

11. Question 11TCM Diagnosis and Pattern Differentiationmedium

    A 55-year-old woman has night sweats, a feeling of heat in the palms and soles in the evening, a dry throat at night and a red tongue with no coating. The pulse is thin and rapid. Which pattern is most likely?

    1. AExcess Heat in the Stomach
    2. BYang deficiency with Cold
    3. CYin deficiency with Empty Heat
    4. DBlood stasis with Qi stagnation
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Yin deficiency with Empty Heat

    Night sweats, five-palm heat, dryness at night and a red, peeled tongue with a thin rapid pulse indicate Yin deficiency with Empty Heat. Excess Heat gives a red tongue with a yellow coating and a full rapid pulse. Yang deficiency causes cold and a pale tongue.

12. Question 12TCM Diagnosis and Pattern Differentiationmedium

    Which pathogenic factor is most strongly suggested by a thick, yellow, greasy tongue coating?

    1. ACold-Dampness
    2. BDamp-Heat
    3. CWind-Cold
    4. DBlood deficiency
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: B. Damp-Heat

    A greasy coating indicates Dampness or Phlegm, and a yellow colour indicates Heat, so a thick yellow greasy coating suggests Damp-Heat. Cold-Dampness typically gives a white greasy coating. Blood deficiency gives a pale tongue with a thin coating.

13. Question 13Zang-Fu and Channel Theorymedium

    A patient bruises easily, has heavy menstrual bleeding, tiredness, poor appetite and loose stools. According to TCM theory, failure of which organ function best explains the bleeding?

    1. ALiver storing the Blood
    2. BHeart governing the Blood
    3. CSpleen holding the Blood
    4. DKidney storing Essence
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Spleen holding the Blood

    The Spleen holds the Blood in the vessels, and Spleen Qi deficiency, shown here by tiredness, poor appetite and loose stools, can lead to bruising and bleeding. The Liver stores Blood and regulates its volume, and the Heart governs Blood circulation. Persistent heavy bleeding still needs medical assessment for anaemia and underlying causes.

14. Question 14Zang-Fu and Channel Theorymedium

    A patient has distension under the ribs, frequent sighing, irritability and premenstrual breast tenderness that worsen with stress. The pulse is wiry. Which pattern is most likely?

    1. AKidney Yang deficiency
    2. BLung Qi deficiency
    3. CHeart Blood deficiency
    4. DLiver Qi stagnation
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: D. Liver Qi stagnation

    The Liver ensures the smooth flow of Qi, and its stagnation causes hypochondriac distension, sighing, irritability, premenstrual symptoms and a wiry pulse, all aggravated by emotional stress. Kidney Yang deficiency causes cold and lower back weakness. Lung Qi deficiency causes breathlessness and a weak voice.

15. Question 15Zang-Fu and Channel Theorymedium

    Which Fu organ is paired internally-externally with the Heart?

    1. ASmall Intestine
    2. BLarge Intestine
    3. CGall Bladder
    4. DStomach
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Small Intestine

    The Heart and Small Intestine are paired and both belong to Fire. The Lung pairs with the Large Intestine, the Liver with the Gall Bladder and the Spleen with the Stomach. Paired channels connect through their Luo-connecting points.

Last reviewed September 2026. Questions are original and written to the published exam blueprint; they are not taken from any real paper.