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

2.

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

3.

Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin is indicated for:

A) Facial paralysis
B) Poor memory
C) Manic behavior
D) Blurred Vision

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

According to pharmacological studies, Wu Wei Zi is useful in the treatment of:

A) hypothyroidism
B) hypertension
C) malaria
D) hepatitis

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 1015 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

9.

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

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 WindHeat 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