2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

1. A 16 year old patient presents with severe acne on the face, chest, and back. The acne is red, inflamed, and contains pus. Which one of the following formulas is most appropriate? A) Yin Qiao San B) Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin C) Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin D) Si Miao Yong An Tang Which one of the following formulas most appropriately stops vomiting by clearing Liver Heat and directing rebellious Qi downward? A) Wu Zhu Yu Tang B) Zuo Jin Wan C) Bai Tou Weng Tang D) Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin is indicated for: A) Facial paralysis B) Poor memory C) Manic behavior D) Blurred Vision A patient presents with intermittent, spasmodic abdominal pain that responds favorably to warmth and pressure, has a poor appetite, low grade fever, palpitations, cold and sore extremities with nonspecific discomfort, and is irritable. Which of the following formulas would be most appropriate for this condition? A) Da Jian Zhong Tang B) Xiao Jian Zhong Tang C) Li Zhong Wan D) Dang Gui Si Ni Tang The main function of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San is to: A) Vigorously purge Heat accumulation B) Disperse Wind and alleviate headache C) Calm the Liver and Extinguish Wind D) Transform Phlegm and Extinguish Wind A weak and tired patient who is clearly Spleen Qi deficient presents with nausea, low appetite, watery stools, and phlegm accumulating in the chest. Which herbs when added to Si Jun Zi Tang would be most appropriate? A) Chen Pi, Sha Ren, Ban Xia B) Da Fu Pi, Bing Lang, Ban Xia C) Shen Qu, Mai Ya, Shan Zha D) Sheng Jiang, Zhi Shi, Dai Zhe Shi According to pharmacological studies, Wu Wei Zi is useful in the treatment of: A) hypothyroidism B) hypertension C) malaria D) hepatitis

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2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

8. A patient presents with slight dizziness, nausea, intermittent gnawing hunger, and a bitter taste in the mouth. The patient has insomnia and anxiety with palpitations, smokes 10 15 cigarettes and drinks 23 beers daily. The pulse is slippery and rapid and the tongue coating is greasy and yellow. The most appropriate treatment formula is: A) Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan B) Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang C) Bei Mu Gua Lou San D) Wen Dan Tang A patient, paralyzed three years ago by a stroke, has been sneezing and coughing for three days. The patient has chills and clear nasal discharge. The most appropriate order of formulas to prescribe, one formulas for the first week, and a second formula subsequently would be: A) Xiao Huo Luo Dan, then Ba Zhen Tang B) Xiao Huo Luo Dan, then Ma Huang Tang C) Yin Qiao San, then Xiao Huo Luo Dan D) Zhi Sou San, then Xiao Huo Luo Dan

9.

10. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is used to treat A) deficiency of Spleen and Heart B) Lung and Heart Yin deficiency C) disharmony between Heart and Kidney D) Heart and Kidney Yin deficiency 11. A patient complains of a cold for three days, feeling chilled and feverish, and had a runny nose and sore throat for the first two days. Today, the patient has alternating fever and chills, constipation with abdominal cramps, dizziness, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, poor appetite, and a thin, yellow tongue coating. Which one of the following formulas should be used to treat this patient? A) Bai Hu Tang B) Xiao Chai Hu Tang C) Da Chai Hu Tang D) Da Cheng Qi Tang 12. The chief indications of using Yin Chen Hao Tang is predominance of A) Dampness over Cold B) Cold over Dampness C) Dampness over Heat D) Heat over Dampness 13. Herbal substances possessing a sweet flavor have the effects of A) relieving constipation by purgation, softening, and resolving hard masses B) clearing Heat, purging Fire, relaxing the bowel, eliminating Dampness C) dispersing exo-pathogen, promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood D) nourishing, replenishing, tonifying, or enriching the different parts of the body 14. Which of the following formulas treat DampHeat? A) Er Miao San B) Er Zhi Wan C) Er Xian Tang D) Er Chen Tang

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

15. A Patient complains of dreamdisturbed and light sleep, palpitations, and forgetfulness. He always feels fatigue, weak, looks anorexic, and has a sallow complexion. His tongue is pale with a thin, whitish coating and his pulse is thread and weak. The most appropriate formula is A) Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang B) Gui Pi Tang C) Dang Gui San D) Liu Jun Zi Tang 16. A 30 year old woman complains of painful menstruation characterized by severe cramps which is alleviated by heat, dark blood with clots, and a pale purple tongue. The most appropriate formula is A) Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan B) Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang C) Ban Xia Hou Po Tang D) Xiao Cheng Qi Tang 17. A female patient presents with dizziness, blurred vision, irregular menstruation with little flow, and dry, brittle nails. The tongue is pale and the pulse is thin. Which of the following is the most appropriate formulas? A) Gui Pi Tang B) Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan C) Si Wu Tang D) Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 18. What quality does charring add to an herb? A) clears heat B) stops bleeding C) tonifies blood D) transforms phlegm 19. When using Zhi Sou San to treat a cough with thick, sticky sputum, which of the following herbs should be added? A) Dan Nan Xing, Tian Ma B) Gua Lou, Sang Bai Pi C) Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao D) Huang Qi, Dang Shen 20. In Bai He Gu Jin Tang, Jie Geng enhances the effectiveness of the formula by: A) descending B) ascending C) draining D) facilitating 21. A patient complains of diarrhea, including watery stools, nausea, and vomiting, no particular thirst, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Which of the following formulas is most appropriate for this patient? A) Si Jun Zi Tang B) Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang C) Li Zhong Wan D) Si Ni Tang 22. A patient presents with a headache, fever, thirst, dry cough with a small amount of viscous sputum, a red tongue with a thin, white coating and dry fur, and a floating rapid pulse. Which of the following formulas is most appropriate for this patient? A) Sang Ju Yin B) Bai He Gu Jin Tang C) Sang Xing Tang D) Mai Men Dong Tang

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

23. A patient suffers from abdominal pain, tenesmus, a burning sensation around the anus, and diarrhea containing more blood than pus. What would be the most appropriate treatment formula? A) Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang B) Bai Tou Weng Tang C) Ge Gen Huang Lian Huang Qin Tang D) Zeng Ye Tang 24. Which herb is most appropriate to treat a cough with yellow phlegm due to Heat in the Lung, congestion of the chest, fever, a yellow tongue coating, and a rapid pulse? A) Huang Lian B) Huang Bai C) Huang Qin D) Huang Qi 25. Gui Zhi Tang: A) invigorates the blood, transforms blood stasis, and reduces fixed abdominal masses B) releases the exterior, transforms congested fluids, warms the lungs, and directs rebellious Qi downward C) disperses Wind Heat, clears Heat, and releases toxicity D) releases pathogenic influences from the muscle layer and regulates nurturing and protecting Qi 26. 26. Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is used for Kidney and A) Heart Yin deficiency B) Liver Yin deficiency C) Heart disharmony D) Liver Yin deficiency 27. A patient presents with generalized edema, diarrhea, and urinary difficulty. The tongue coating is thick and white. Which formula is most appropriate in treating this disorder? A) Zhu Ling Tang B) Wu Ling San C) Ba Zheng San D) Bei Xie Fen Qing Yin 28. Which of the following herbs clears Heat from the Heart and calms the Spirit? A) Bai He B) Shi Chang Pu C) Shu Di Huang D) Gan Cao 29. What is the differentiation in the use of Gui Pi Tang and Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan in the treatment of insomnia? A) one treats excess, the other treats deficiency B) one contains calm the Spirit herbs, the other does not C) one treats phlegm more, one treats stagnation more D) one treats Heart and Spleen; one treats the Heart and Kidney 30. A patient presents with prolonged menstrual bleeding, sometimes lasting all month, with pale, trickling blood. She also has a slight lack of appetite, insomnia, palpitations, fatigue, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and a thread, weak pulse. The most appropriate formula is: A) Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang B) Gui Pi Tang C) Si Sheng Wan D) Ba Zhen Tang

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

31. A patient complains of intermittent dull pain in the abdomen that is alleviated by eating, resting, or pressure on the abdomen and is worsened by exertion. The patient prefers warmth, is adverse to cold, has loose stools, feels tired and listless, and is short of breath. The most appropriate treatment formula is: A) Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang B) Xiao Jian Zhong Tang C) Bao He Wan D) Chai Hu Shu Gan San 32. Yi Gong San treats A) Spleen B) Heart C) Lung D) Kidney 33. Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is best grouped with formulas that release: A) Exterior WindCold B) ExteriorInterior excess C) Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency D) Exterior WindHeat 34. If dampness turns to Heat that damages Yin and gives rise to difficult urination, fever, and thirst, the most appropriate formulas is: A) Zhu Ling Tang B) Wu Pi Yin C) Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang D) Zhen Wu Tang 35. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan has the function of: A) nourishing Blood, tonifying the Spleen, and calming the spirit B) nourishing Yin and Blood, tonifying Heart, and calming the spirit C) Tonifying Qi, nourishing the Heart, and calming the spirit D) clearing the Heart Fire, nourishing Blood, and calming the spirit 36. Which one of the following herbs would most likely be added to Bai Hu Tang to treat Qi level fever in a patient with a forceless pulse? A) Bai Zhu B) Dang Gui C) Ren Shen D) Dan Shen 37. Traditionally, which formula does NOT contain heavy metal substances? A) An Gong Niu Huang Wan B) Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan C) Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan D) Zhu Sha An Shen Wan 38. A patient presents with irregular menstruation, headache, hypochondriac pain, and a wiry pulse. How could Xiao Yao San best be modified to treat this syndrome if the tongue is reddish and the patient complains of irritability, painful urination, and red eyes? A) add Mu Dan Pi and Zhi Zi B) add Gou Qi Zi and Ju Hua C) add Shi Gao and Zhi Mu D) remove Bai Shao and Gan Cao

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

39. 39. What is the most appropriate treatment formula for a patient who presents with low back pain and weakness of the lower extremities, a cold sensation in the lower abdomen, and urinary difficulty with edema? A) Er Xian Tang B) Du Qi Wan C) Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan D) Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 40. Which one of the following herbs warms the Lung Qi and expels phlegm, dissipates nodules, reduces swelling, and alleviates pain? A) Bai Jie Zi B) Zi Su Zi C) Zi Su Ye D) Lai Fu ZI 41. What is the most appropriate treatment formula for a patient who presents with low back pain and weakness of the lower extremities, a cold sensation in the lower abdomen, and urinary difficulty with edema? A) Er Xian Tang B) Du Qi Wan C) Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan D) Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 42. 42. A patient complains of epigastric focal distention, fullness and tightness with vomiting, diarrhea, and presents with a thin, yellow and greasy tongue coating with a wiry and rapid pulse. The most appropriate formula treatment is: A) Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang B) Er Chen Tang C) Xiao Yao San D) Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan 43. The main functions of Xiao Qing Long Tang are: A) dispersing Wind and alleviating pain in the head B) release the Exterior, transforming congested fluids, warming the Lungs, and directing rebellious Qi downward C) promoting the movement of Qi, draining the Liver Qi, dispersing Cold, and alleviating pain D) expelling Wind Dampness, dispersing painful obstruction, and deficiency 44. A patient complains of coughing with lots of sputum, difficulty in breathing, pressured sensation in the chest, poor appetite, and fullness in the epigastric region. The patients pulse is slippery and the tongue has a white, greasy coating. The most appropriate formula is: A) San Zi Yang Qin Tang B) Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan C) Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang D) Zhi Sou San 45. Which one of the following herbs is most appropriate to relieve Wind Heat induced irritability? A) Chan Tui B) Bo He C) Ju Hua D) Dan Dou Chi 46. Which one of the following herbs is cool, acrid, releases the Exterior, and moistens the Intestines? A) Sang Ye B) Man Jing Zi C) Niu Bang Zi D) Ge Gen

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

47. A 50 year old patient presents with irritability, insomnia, shortness of breath, slight constipation, palpitation, anxiety, dry mouth, a pale tongue with little coating, and a thin, feeble and irregular pulse. The most appropriate formula for treatment is A) Gui Pi Tang B) Liu Wei Di Huang Wan C) Zhi Gan Cao Tang D) Bai HE Gu Jin Tang 48. A patient complains of having four colds in the past three months, shortness of breath, sweating easily, and a pale face. The best treatment formula would be A) Bu Fei Tang B) Liu Jun Zi Tang C) Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang D) Yu Ping Feng San 49. Which of the following herbs contained in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San specifically addresses headache along the Shaoyang and Jue yin channels? A) Fang Feng B) Bai Zhi C) Qiang Huo D) Chuan Xiong 50. A patient presents with shortness of breath, weakness, intermittent fever that worsens with exertion, spontaneous sweating, thirst for warm beverages, a tendency to curl up, a shiny, pale complexion, and loose stools. The tongue is pale with a thin, white coating and the pulse is thin and deficient. What is the most appropriate formula? A) Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang B) Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang C) Bu Fei Tang D) Shen Ling Bai Zhu San 51. 51. Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San is indicated for a headache due to A) Liver Yang rising B) Blood deficiency C) External Wind D) Blood Stagnation 52. When using Liu Wei Di Huang Wan to treat night sweats, hot flashes, low back pain, and red ears and face, the practitioner should substitute: A) Fu Ling with Zhu Ling B) Shu Di Huang with Sheng Di Huang C) Ze Xie with Gua Lou D) Ze Xie with Wu Mei 53. Which of the following herbs are common to the formulas Xiao Cheng Qi Tang and Hou Po San Wu Tang A) hou Po, Zhi Shi, and Da Huang B) Hou Po, Yi Tang, and Gan Cao C) Hou Po, Mu Xiang, and Gan Cao D) Hou Po, Xuan Shen, and Chi Shao

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

54. After a week prescription of Zuo Gui Wan, the patient complains of diarrhea and bloating. The patients tongue is pale and scalloped and the pulse is soft and slippery. The most likely reason for the bloating and diarrhea is that the herbal formula is too: A) cloying B) descending C) dispersing D) warming 55. Which one of the following formulas can be used to treat alternate attacks of chills and fever, fullness in the chest, hypochondriac discomfort, bitterness in the mouth, thin, white tongue fur, and a wiry pulse? A) Ban Xia Hou Po Tang B) Xiao Chai Hu Tang C) Er Chen Tang D) Si Jun Zi Tang 56. A formula to strengthen the Yang of the Spleen and Kidney to stop diarrhea is A) Da Jian Zhong Tang B) Si Ni San C) Shen Fu Tang D) Si Ni Tang 57. A patient complains of frequent, painful, scanty, and difficult urination for three days. The patients tongue coating is yellow and greasy and the pulse is slippery, rapid. The most appropriate prescription is A) Ba Zheng San B) Zhen Wu Tang C) Bei Xie Fen Qing Yin D) Yin Chen Hao Tang 58. Which of the following herbs tonifies the Kidneys, fortifies Yang, calms the restless fetus, and harnesses ascendant Liver Yang? A) Ba Ji Tian B) Yin Yang Huo C) Xian Mao D) Du Zhong 59. Yin Qiao San A) clears Heat, resolves Dampness, and reduces jaundice B) clears Heat, relieves toxicity, cools the Blood, and alleviates dysenteric disorders C) drains Heat, breaks up Blood stasis, disperses clumping, and reduces swelling D) disperses Wind Heat, clears Heat, and relieves toxicity 60. The main indications of Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang A) facilitates the flow of Lung Qi, clears Heat, and calms wheezing by directing rebellious Qi downward B) clears and disperse Warmdryness, moistens the Lungs, and stops cough C) drains Stomach Fire, generates fluids, and regulates thirst D) expels Wind Dampness, disperses painful obstructions, and tonifies 61. A patient complains of insomnia, poor memory, night sweating with evening fever, agitation, fatigue, and presents with a red tongue with a thin, white coating, and an empty, thin, weak pulse. The most appropriate formula is A) Dang Gui Di Huang Yin B) Gui Pi Tang C) Da Bu Yin Wan D) Suan Zao Ren Tang

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

62. One month after prolonged labor, a 43 year old woman presents with general body aches, fever, chills, and nasal congestion with a productive cough. The tongue coating is greasy and white and the pulse is floating and soggy. What would be the most appropriate formula? A) Cong Bai Qi Wei Yin B) Jing Fang Bai Du San C) Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang D) Ren Shen Bai Du San 63. An 8 year old boy presents with asthmatic wheezing and coughing, sometimes producing thick or thin yellow sputum. The tongue has a red tip and the pulse is rapid and rolling. What is the most appropriate formula? A) Yin Qiao San B) Yu Ping Feng San C) Xiao Qing Long Tang D) Ding Chuan Tang 64. Which of the following are cooling, pungent herbs used to release the Exterior? A) Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Pu Gong Ying, Ban Lan Gen B) Bai Hua She She Cao, Ye Ju Hua, Chan Tui, Fu Ping C) Chai Hu, Ge Gen, Zhi Zi, Chuan Xin Lian D) Bo He, Sang Ye, Niu Bang Zi, Dan Dou Chi 65. In Er Chen Tang, which one of the following herbs is combined with Ban Xia to treat nausea due to disharmony of Stomach Qi A) Chen Pi B) Gui Zhi C) Xing Ren D) Ren Shen 66. A practitioner prescribed Yin Qiao San. Three days later, the patient now appears hot, complains of thirst, irritability, and a bad cough with yellow sputum, and high fever of 102F. The tongue is red all over with red points in the front and center. According to the Warm Febrile Disease theory, these signs and symptoms indicated the pathogen is in which level? A) Blood B) Defensive C) Qi D) Nutritive

2012 NCCAOM HERBAL EXAM QUESTIONS

ANSWERS TO 2012 NCCAOM HERBAL QUESTIONS

1. B 2. B 3. D 4. B 5. B 6. A 7. D 8. D 9. D 10. C 11. C 12. D 13. D 14. A 15. B 16. A 17. C

18. B 19. B 20. B 21. C 22. C 23. B 24. C 25. D 26. B 27. B 28. A 29. D 30. B 31. B 32. A 33. B 34. A

35. B 36. C 37. B 38. A 39. C 40. A 41. C 42. A 43. B 44. A 45. D 46. C 47. C 48. D 49. D 50. A 51. C

52. B 53. A 54. A 55. B 56. D 57. A 58. D 59. D 60. A 61. D 62. D 63. D 64. D 65. A 66. C