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Free Pan-Canadian Entry-level Examinations for Acupuncturists Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Pan-Canadian Entry-level Examinations for Acupuncturists practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1An acupuncturist gives a colleague a time-sensitive patient instruction. The colleague repeats the instruction, and the acupuncturist confirms that it was received correctly. Which communication tool is being used?

    1. A.Check-BackCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Call-Out
    3. C.Handoff
    4. D.SBAR

    Explanation: The source states, "Using closed-loop communication to ensure that information conveyed by the sender is understood by the receiver as intended" Repeating the instruction and confirming it closes the communication loop. Call-out broadcasts information, handoff transfers care, and SBAR structures a clinical report.

    Reference: AHRQ TeamSTEPPS Pocket Guide — p. 11, Check-Back

  2. 2An acupuncturist traces classical guidance that links Shu-stream points with heaviness of the body and joint pain to the '68th Difficulty.' Which classic is being consulted?

    1. A.Spiritual Axis
    2. B.Essential Questions
    3. C.Classic of DifficultiesCorrect answer: C
    4. D.Treatise on Cold Damage

    Explanation: The source states, "According to the Classic of Difficulties (68th Difficulty)" The cited numbered difficulty belongs to the Classic of Difficulties. The other titles are different classical works; the stem identifies the source of this particular clinical guidance.

    Reference: Peter Deadman — The Five Shu-Points — Classical indications, 68th Difficulty

  3. 3An acupuncturist reviews a patient's echocardiography report describing regurgitation between the left atrium and left ventricle. Which valve is involved?

    1. A.Tricuspid valve
    2. B.Pulmonary valve
    3. C.Mitral valveCorrect answer: C
    4. D.Aortic valve

    Explanation: The source states: "The mitral valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle." The report identifies the left atrioventricular valve, rather than either right-sided valve or the left ventricular outflow valve.

    Reference: NHLBI — How the Heart Works: Blood Flow — Heart valves

  4. 4At intake, a patient mentions longstanding tinnitus, an old ankle sprain and occasional constipation, then says the reason for today's visit is shoulder pain interrupting sleep. What should be recorded as the chief complaint?

    1. A.The longstanding tinnitus
    2. B.The previous ankle sprain
    3. C.The sleep-disrupting shoulder painCorrect answer: C
    4. D.The occasional constipation

    Explanation: The source states: "During a visit to a clinic or emergency department or on admission to a health care agency, the client’s primary reasons for seeking care are referred to as the chief complaint." The patient's stated reason for this encounter is the shoulder pain. Other health concerns remain relevant history but are not the identified chief complaint.

    Reference: Open RN Nursing Mental Health and Community Concepts 2e — 4.3 Assessment — Reason for Seeking Health Care

  5. 5A retained cup still has a firm vacuum seal at the end of treatment. How should the practitioner begin removing it?

    1. A.Lift straight upward on the cup.
    2. B.Rotate the cup around its axis.
    3. C.Depress the skin beside its rim.Correct answer: C
    4. D.Slide the cup across the skin.

    Explanation: The source states: "The cup is removed when the therapy is done by gently prying the jar edge up from the skin or depressing the skin next to the rim of the cup to defeat the vacuum." Depressing the skin at the rim releases the vacuum before lifting. Upward pulling, axial rotation and sliding are competing physical cup movements, but do not implement the specified initial release for this firmly sealed retained cup.

    Reference: CCAHM Clean Needle Technique Manual — p. 116, Fire-Throwing Cupping — Method, step 7

  6. 6A practitioner is screening a patient before therapeutic blood withdrawal. Which condition directly raises the bleeding-risk concern identified for this procedure?

    1. A.Migraine
    2. B.HemophiliaCorrect answer: B
    3. C.Osteoarthritis
    4. D.Gastroesophageal reflux

    Explanation: The source states: "In general, acupuncturists should use caution if employing bleeding therapy for persons who have weakness of their yin or yang qi, a bleeding disorder, a weak constitution, or who take anticoagulant medication." Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder. The other diagnoses do not, by themselves, establish the stated coagulation risk.

    Reference: CCAHM Clean Needle Technique Manual — p. 119, Bleeding Overview

  7. 7While writing a SOAP progress note, an acupuncturist records the patient's statement that pain wakes her twice each night. In which section does this information belong?

    1. A.Objective
    2. B.Assessment
    3. C.SubjectiveCorrect answer: C
    4. D.Plan

    Explanation: The source states, "Subjective (information reported by the patient)." The statement is reported experience rather than a finding obtained by examination. Objective records findings, assessment interprets the condition, and plan records intended care.

    Reference: CCAHM Clean Needle Technique Manual — p. 220, SOAP notes

  8. 8During a TCM discussion, a patient asks how an extreme yin condition can give rise to a yang presentation under particular circumstances. Which yin–yang relationship explains this change?

    1. A.Mutual opposition
    2. B.Mutual transformationCorrect answer: B
    3. C.Reciprocal rooting
    4. D.Mutual waxing and waning

    Explanation: The source states, "Under certain circumstances, yin may transform into yang and yang into yin." Transformation concerns a change into the opposite quality. Opposition restrains, reciprocal rooting concerns dependence, and waxing/waning describes relative change in quantity.

    Reference: WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Chinese Medicine — p. 2, WGM2 13

  9. 9While explaining breathlessness, an acupuncturist describes the pulmonary structures where oxygen enters capillary blood and carbon dioxide leaves it. Which structures are these?

    1. A.AlveoliCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Bronchi
    3. C.Bronchioles
    4. D.Trachea

    Explanation: The source states: "Carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the air inside the alveoli. At the same time, oxygen moves from the air into the blood in the capillaries." Alveoli provide the gas-exchange interface; the other structures conduct air toward it.

    Reference: NHLBI — How the Lungs Work: Respiratory System — Air fills your lung’s air sacs; Oxygen flows into your blood

  10. 10A patient's chief complaint is persistent nausea. After establishing its timing and severity, the acupuncturist asks what makes it better or worse. Which focused assessment dimension is being investigated?

    1. A.Provocation and palliationCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Region and radiation
    3. C.Quality and character
    4. D.Understanding and attribution

    Explanation: The source states: "Does anything make it better or worse, such as food, position, movement, or medication?" This question identifies aggravating and relieving influences. Region asks location, quality describes the sensation, and understanding explores the patient's interpretation.

    Reference: Open RN Nursing Mental Health and Community Concepts 2e — 4.3 Assessment — Table 4.3b, Provocation/Palliation

Exam Review

About Pan-Canadian Entry-level Examinations for Acupuncturists

Pan-Canadian Entry-level Examinations for Acupuncturists · CA

Key exam facts

Provider
CARB-TCMPA administers the national Pan-Canadian Examinations; For Good Measure is its exam administration partner.
Format
In-person computer-based examination with an independent multiple-choice component and a clinical-case component containing case-based and independent multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. The components belong to one examination and each contributes 50% of the total mark.
Exam questions
Total questions: 165; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
2.5 hours of examination time per component (MC and CC), 5 hours total across both components; approved accommodations may alter individual arrangements.
Passing score
A total scaled score of at least 400 is required to pass; this is a scaled score, not 400 marks or a raw percentage.
Exam fee
CAD 942 examination fee, as listed by CARB-TCMPA. Provincial application charges are separate; applicable taxes may apply (NLCHP explicitly lists $942 plus tax). Each retake requires purchase of a new examination.

Topics covered

The authority publishes percentage ranges for each content area. The practice percentages below use the midpoint of each range, normalized to 100%; they are not exact percentages published by the authority. Practice question counts may differ slightly because of rounding.

  • Interpersonal Skills, Professionalism, Practice Management — Official range: 5–9% (Practice allocation: 7%)

    • Utilize professional communication.
    • Develop and maintain effective inter-professional relationships.
    • Develop and maintain effective relationships with patients.
    • Comply with legal requirements.
    • Practice in a manner that accords patient dignity and reflects patient rights.
    • Maintain practitioner self-care.
    • Practice with professional integrity.
    • Maintain patient records.
    • Utilize effective business strategies.
    • Speak effectively, using appropriate terminology.
    • Write effectively, using appropriate terminology.
    • Comprehend written information.
    • Comprehend information presented orally.
    • Ensure effectiveness of communication.
    • Communicate with professional integrity.
    • Respond to non-verbal communication.
    • Respond to sources of interpersonal conflict.
    • Adapt communication style in response to needs of recipient.
    • Work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary health care setting.
    • Develop productive working relationships.
    • Recognize the variety of health and social services commonly available and direct patients appropriately.
    • Show respect toward patients as individuals.
    • Exhibit compassion toward patients.
    • Maintain practitioner / patient boundaries.
    • Facilitate honest, reciprocal communication.
    • Encourage patient to take responsibility for his / her health.
    • Apply to practice current, relevant federal and provincial / territorial legislation.
    • Apply to practice current requirements of regulatory body.
    • Apply to practice current, relevant requirements of municipal and other local authorities.
    • Ensure that patient is aware of treatment plan, its benefits and risks.
    • Ensure ongoing, informed consent.
    • Respect patient rights to privacy and confidentiality.
    • Terminate course of treatment when appropriate.
    • Maintain personal health and wellness in the context of professional practice.
    • Exhibit professional deportment.
    • Practice within limits of expertise.
    • Modify practice to enhance effectiveness.
    • Exhibit professional behaviour.
    • Engage with colleagues in professional activities related to the practice of TCM.
    • Critically assess personal performance and set goals for improvement.
    • Undertake professional development activities aimed at enhancing practice.
    • Remain current with developments in acupuncture practice.
    • Ensure complete and accurate records.
    • Ensure security and integrity of records.
    • Ensure sound financial management.
    • Employ ethical business practices.
    • Establish office procedures and supervise staff accordingly.

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine Foundations — Official range: 23–33% (Practice allocation: 28%)

    • Apply fundamental knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine principles in diagnosis and treatment.
    • Display knowledge of the origin and value of the TCM Classics.
    • Apply fundamentals of acupuncture in diagnosis and treatment.
    • yin yang
    • wu xing (five elements)
    • zang xiang (organ theories)
    • jing luo & shu xue (channels, collaterals, and acupuncture points)
    • qi, xue, jin ye, jing, & shen (qi, blood, body fluid, essence, spirit)
    • ti zhi (constitution)
    • bing yin (etiology)
    • bing ji (pathogenesis)
    • yu fang (prevention)
    • zhi ze (principles of treatment)
    • yang sheng (health preservation)
    • Characterize the following points.
    • Apply knowledge of the following special groupings of points, in treatment planning:
    • Select points for assessment.
    • Select points or areas for therapy.
    • Select stimulation techniques.
    • Apply knowledge of precautions and contraindications for application of stimulation techniques.
    • Apply knowledge of adjunct techniques:
    • jing xue (points of the 14 channels)
    • jing wai qi xue (extra points)
    • wu shu xue (five transporting points)
    • yuan xue (source points)
    • luo xue (connecting points)
    • xi xue (cleft points)
    • bei shu xue (back shu transport points)
    • mu xue (front / mu points)
    • xia he xue (lower he-sea points)
    • ba mai jiao hui xue (eight confluent points)
    • ba hui xue (eight (influential) points)
    • zi mu xue (mother / child points)
    • jiao hui xue (channel crossing points)
    • a shi xue (ah shi points)
    • ear and scalp acupuncture
    • tui na / an mo (acupressure)
    • qi gong / tai ji
    • gua sha

  • Fundamentals of Biomedicine — Official range: 11–17% (Practice allocation: 14%)

    • Apply basic biomedical concepts to TCM practice.
    • Relate biomedical diagnostic and treatment approaches to TCM practice.
    • Integrate TCM and biomedical concepts.
    • human anatomical structures
    • biochemical processes
    • control mechanisms
    • infectious diseases and infection control
    • dysfunctions and common diseases
    • diagnosis and treatment methods
    • pharmacology
    • Relate biomedical information concerning patient’s condition and treatment to TCM state of health.
    • Communicate TCM diagnostic and treatment information for use by other health care workers, and to third parties.

  • Diagnostics and Treatment — Official range: 26–36% (Practice allocation: 31%)

    • Establish priorities for assessment and treatment planning.
    • Assess patient.
    • Analyze assessment information.
    • Establish treatment plan based on diagnosis.
    • Provide acupuncture treatment.
    • Monitor effectiveness of treatment plan and modify where necessary.
    • Educate and counsel patient.
    • Identify chief complaint.
    • Initiate assessment based upon chief complaint.
    • Recognize conditions that require urgent medical treatment, and direct patient appropriately.
    • Modify assessment strategy based upon emerging information.
    • Initiate collaboration, consultation or referral as appropriate.
    • Recognize support needs beyond the scope of TCM, and advise patient accordingly.
    • Collect information using wang zhen (TCM diagnostic inspection method).
    • Collect information using wen zhen (TCM diagnostic inquiry method).
    • Collect information using wen zhen (TCM diagnostic auscultation and olfaction methods).
    • Collect information using qie zhen (TCM diagnostic palpation method).
    • Measure vital signs.
    • Conduct relevant non-invasive physical examination.
    • Organize and interpret the collected information using the following TCM syndrome differentiation methods:
    • Incorporate information obtained from biomedical diagnostic data, medical and health history.
    • Make TCM diagnosis.
    • ba gang bian zheng (eight principles differentiation)
    • zang fu bian zheng (organ theory differentiation)
    • wu xing bian zheng (five elements differentiation)
    • san jiao bian zheng (triple warmer differentiation)
    • wei qi ying xue bian zheng (four levels differentiation)
    • liu jing bian zheng (six stages differentiation)
    • qi xue jin ye bian zheng (qi, blood, body fluid differentiation)
    • bing yin bian zheng (pathogenic factors differentiation)
    • jing luo bian zheng (meridian differentiation)
    • Determine TCM treatment goals and strategies.
    • Take into account precautions and contraindications.
    • Adapt treatment according to patient characteristics and needs.
    • Select appropriate points, point combinations and / or treatment areas.
    • Select appropriate course of acupuncture treatment and therapeutic modalities.
    • Adapt clinical setting to enhance comfort and safety.
    • Position patient for treatment.
    • Locate selected points on patient.
    • Apply treatment techniques.
    • Monitor and respond to patient condition during treatment.
    • Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plan on an ongoing basis.
    • Modify treatment plan to enhance effectiveness.
    • Explain etiology and pathogenesis of condition.
    • Explain TCM concepts as they apply to patient condition.
    • Inform patient of possible side effects and reaction to treatment.
    • Advise patient on yu fang and yang sheng (prevention and health preservation).
    • Counsel patient on compliance with treatment recommendations.

  • Acupuncture Techniques — Official range: 10–16% (Practice allocation: 13%)

    • Perform needling.
    • Perform moxibustion.
    • Perform treatment utilizing supplementary devices.
    • Perform cupping.
    • Perform tui na.
    • Perform filiform needling.
    • Perform dermal (plum blossom, seven star) needling.
    • Perform intra-dermal tack needling.
    • Perform three edged needling.
    • Perform direct moxibustion.
    • Perform indirect moxibustion.
    • Perform needle warming moxibustion.
    • Perform stimulation using heat lamps.
    • Perform stimulation using electro-acupuncture devices.

  • Safety — Official range: 5–9% (Practice allocation: 7%)

    • Evaluate patient risk profile relative to acupuncture treatment.
    • Provide a safe working environment.
    • Manage risks to patients: adverse reactions, medical emergencies, blood exposure, spills and fires.
    • Ensure that equipment is safe and functional.
    • Determine risk profile relative to acupuncture treatment.
    • Maintain current knowledge of communicable diseases and infection control techniques.
    • Apply universal precautions for infection control.
    • Ensure effective supervision of staff and / or students.
    • Inspect facilities for electrical hazards, fire risk and physical hazards that may cause accidents, and take action to minimize.
    • Establish procedures and route for emergency evacuation of facilities.
    • Establish procedures to maximize protection of self, staff and patients in the event of abusive or violent behaviour.
    • Manage adverse reactions and accidents resulting from treatment.
    • Respond appropriately to medical emergencies.
    • Manage blood-to-blood contact and provide direction for post exposure follow up.
    • Clean spills of blood and other body fluids.
    • Control and extinguish small fires.
    • Select equipment that enhances patient safety.
    • Maintain equipment in good working order.
    • Clean equipment regularly, and disinfect as appropriate.

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

In-person computer-based examination with an independent multiple-choice component and a clinical-case component containing case-based and independent multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. The components belong to one examination and each contributes 50% of the total mark.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 165; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.

How long is the exam?

2.5 hours of examination time per component (MC and CC), 5 hours total across both components; approved accommodations may alter individual arrangements.

What is the passing score?

A total scaled score of at least 400 is required to pass; this is a scaled score, not 400 marks or a raw percentage.

How much does the exam cost?

CAD 942 examination fee, as listed by CARB-TCMPA. Provincial application charges are separate; applicable taxes may apply (NLCHP explicitly lists $942 plus tax). Each retake requires purchase of a new examination.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.