Hijama (Cupping) Therapist Prometric exam questions with answers

1. Question 1Applied Anatomy and Physiologymedium

   A client has prominent varicose veins on the calves and asks for cupping on the legs. What is the safest approach?

   1. AApply strong suction over the veins
   2. BAvoid cupping over the varicose veins
   3. CMake incisions directly over the veins
   4. DUse fire cups over the veins
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Avoid cupping over the varicose veins

   Varicose veins have thin walls and suction or incision may cause bleeding, bruising or thrombosis, so these areas are avoided. Incising over a vein risks significant bleeding.

2. Question 2Client Assessment and Contraindicationshard

   A client with long-standing diabetes has reduced sensation in the feet and poor healing of a previous cut. Wet cupping is requested on the lower legs. What is the safest decision?

   1. AProceed with deeper incisions to improve circulation
   2. BProceed since reduced sensation makes it painless
   3. CProceed but skip skin antisepsis to avoid irritation
   4. DAvoid leg incisions given infection and healing risk
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. Avoid leg incisions given infection and healing risk

   Peripheral neuropathy and impaired healing raise the risk of unnoticed injury, infection and ulceration, especially on the legs. Reduced sensation removes a protective warning and is a reason for caution, not reassurance.

3. Question 3Client Assessment and Contraindicationsmedium

   A pale, tired client reports a recent hemoglobin of 85 g/L. Why should wet cupping be avoided?

   1. AAnemia makes the suction cups fall off the skin
   2. BAnemia increases skin elasticity
   3. CFurther blood loss may worsen the anemia
   4. DAnemic blood clots too quickly
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Further blood loss may worsen the anemia

   Wet cupping removes blood, which can worsen symptomatic anemia; the client should be advised to seek medical care for the cause. Anemia does not affect cup adhesion.

4. Question 4Client Assessment and Contraindicationsmedium

   At the pre-treatment check, a client's blood pressure is 185/120 mmHg on repeat measurement. What is the appropriate action?

   1. APostpone the session and advise prompt medical review
   2. BProceed because cupping will bring the pressure down
   3. CProceed using stronger suction than usual
   4. DProceed today and recheck it at the next visit
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Postpone the session and advise prompt medical review

   Severely raised blood pressure needs medical evaluation, and treatment should be postponed. Claiming cupping will lower it is unsupported and delays proper care.

5. Question 5Infection Prevention and Controleasy

   According to the WHO five moments, when must hand hygiene be performed in a hijama session?

   1. AOnly once at the end of the working day
   2. BOnly if the gloves become torn during use
   3. CBefore touching the client and after body fluid exposure
   4. DOnly after the session, once the cups have been removed
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Before touching the client and after body fluid exposure

   WHO's five moments include before touching a patient, before an aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient and after touching patient surroundings. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.

6. Question 6Complications and First Aidmedium

   A client's skin is burned by an alcohol flame during fire cupping. What is the immediate first aid?

   1. ACool running water for 20 minutes
   2. BApply ice directly for 20 minutes
   3. CApply butter or oil
   4. DBurst any blisters
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Cool running water for 20 minutes

   Cool running water for 20 minutes reduces burn depth and pain; ice causes further tissue damage. Butter and oils trap heat and increase infection risk.

7. Question 7Infection Prevention and Controlhard

   Where should blood-soaked gauze and used cups from wet cupping be discarded?

   1. AInfectious clinical waste for regulated disposal
   2. BGeneral household waste collected by the council
   3. CThe recycling bin after rinsing with water
   4. DDown the sink, flushed with running water
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Infectious clinical waste for regulated disposal

   Items contaminated with blood are infectious waste and must be segregated into the clinical waste stream for regulated treatment. Placing them in general waste exposes cleaners and the public to bloodborne pathogens.

8. Question 8Procedure Techniqueeasy

   How should the skin be prepared before wet cupping incisions?

   1. ARinse the area with tap water only
   2. BClean with an antiseptic and allow it to dry
   3. CApply a layer of massage oil first
   4. DLeave it, as no particular preparation is needed
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Clean with an antiseptic and allow it to dry

   An antiseptic such as alcohol or chlorhexidine-alcohol is applied and allowed to dry to reduce skin flora before incision. Oil would prevent antiseptic contact and does not disinfect.

9. Question 9Foundations of Cupping Practicemedium

   Why are disposable plastic manual-pump cups preferred for wet cupping?

   1. AThey can be reused after rinsing with water
   2. BThey are warmed with a flame to give a much stronger suction
   3. CSingle use prevents cross-infection; suction is adjustable
   4. DThey make incisions unnecessary
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Single use prevents cross-infection; suction is adjustable

   Cups used for wet cupping are contaminated with blood, so single-use cups remove the risk of transmitting bloodborne infection, and pump valves allow graded suction. Rinsing with water does not decontaminate a blood-contaminated cup.

10. Question 10Infection Prevention and Controlmedium

    Which vaccination is particularly important for a hijama practitioner because of blood exposure?

    1. AYellow fever
    2. BHepatitis B
    3. CRabies
    4. DTyphoid
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: B. Hepatitis B

    Practitioners exposed to blood should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and have their antibody response checked. Yellow fever, rabies and typhoid vaccines relate to travel or animal exposure.

11. Question 11Procedure Techniquemedium

    Which sequence describes a standard wet cupping procedure?

    1. ASuction, remove cup, superficial incisions, reapply cup
    2. BIncisions, then antiseptic, then suction
    3. CSuction, incise through the cup, then leave it overnight
    4. DIncisions only, with no suction applied
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Suction, remove cup, superficial incisions, reapply cup

    Typically a cup is applied for initial suction, removed, superficial incisions are made with a sterile blade, and the cup is reapplied to draw blood before cleaning and dressing. Antisepsis must come before incision, not after.

12. Question 12Procedure Techniquemedium

    Which instrument is appropriate for making hijama incisions?

    1. AA reusable razor rinsed in alcohol
    2. BA sterile single-use blade or lancet
    3. CA household needle
    4. DA shared blade wiped between clients
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: B. A sterile single-use blade or lancet

    A sterile, single-use blade or lancet removes the risk of bloodborne infection transmission between clients. Wiping or rinsing a reusable blade does not sterilise it.

13. Question 13Procedure Techniquemedium

    Fluid-filled blisters appear under the cups during a session. What is the most likely cause?

    1. AAntiseptic solution left wet on the skin
    2. BRoom temperature too low
    3. CCups too small for the area
    4. DSuction too strong or applied too long
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: D. Suction too strong or applied too long

    Excessive negative pressure or prolonged application can separate skin layers and cause blisters; suction and duration should be reduced. Antiseptic residue does not cause suction blisters.

14. Question 14Procedure Techniquemedium

    Why is a client usually treated lying down rather than sitting during wet cupping?

    1. ATo make the incisions deeper
    2. BTo increase the amount of bleeding from the cuts
    3. CTo reduce the risk of injury from fainting
    4. DTo avoid the need for consent
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. To reduce the risk of injury from fainting

    Lying down lowers the risk of falls if vasovagal syncope occurs, which is more likely with blood loss and anxiety. Positioning does not change incision depth.

15. Question 15Procedure Techniquemedium

    Which aftercare advice is most appropriate following wet cupping?

    1. AKeep the sites clean and watch for spreading redness
    2. BScratch the sites daily to remove any scabs that form
    3. CApply unsterile herbal pastes to the cuts
    4. DExpect pus to form as a normal sign of healing
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Keep the sites clean and watch for spreading redness

    Sites should be kept clean and covered if needed, and clients should return or seek care if redness spreads, pus forms or fever develops. Pus is a sign of infection, not normal healing.

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