CLEAN NEEDLE TECHNIQUE: CNT
PROTOCOL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2026
Antiseptic - ANSWERSProducts designed to reduce the density of microbial life on
living tissue, particularly on the skin of the patient or practitioner
Aseptic techniques - ANSWERSTechniques for preventing infection during invasive
procedures (surgical operations, dressing wounds, etc)
Is acupuncture an aseptic procedure? - ANSWERSNo, because it is not performed in a
manner that preserves the sterility of of the acupuncturist's hands, or the skin of the
patient.
Is acupuncture a clean or sterile procedure? - ANSWERSClean, although needles must
be kept in a sterile condition for CNT.
Clean field - ANSWERSThe area that has been prepared to contain the equipment
necessary for acupuncture in such a way as to protect the sterility of the needles.
Clean field includes - ANSWERSclean surface on which equipment will be placed,
patient's skin around prepared acupuncture points & anything that touches the skin
Clean technique - ANSWERSuse of techniques that reduce risk of infection by reducing
# of pathogens -->reducing the chances for contact between the pathogens and patient
& personnel
Contamination - ANSWERSintroduction of contaminating viruses, bacteria, ect. into or
onto previously clean or sterile objects, rendering them unclean or non-sterile
Disinfectants - ANSWERSchemicals used in disinfection
should only be used on inanimate objects
Disinfection - ANSWERSUse of chemicals and procedures designed to destroy or
reduce the # of pathogens on inanimate objects
Sterilization - ANSWERSUse of procedures that destroy ALL microbial life, including
viruses. This is a rigid, uncompromising term.
in acupuncture sterilization is required for - ANSWERSALL instruments that pierce the
skin and insertion tubes
, CNT basic principle #1 - ANSWERSAlways wash hands between patients
Always wash hands before and after needling
CNT basic principle #2 - ANSWERSAlways use sterile single-use needles and other
instruments (such as 7-star hammers and lancets) that may break the skin
CNT basic principle #3 - ANSWERSAlways establish a clean field before performing
acupuncture
CNT basic principle #4 - ANSWERSAlways immediately isolate used needles and other
sharps
Will alcohol-based hand disinfectants be effective if practitioner's hands are soiled? -
ANSWERSNo, will not be effective
Hand Washing step #2 - ANSWERSRoll up long sleeves, remove watch and jewelery
(wedding band ok)
Hand Washing step #3 - ANSWERSWet soap and hands thoroughly
Hand Washing step #4 - ANSWERSRub soap to make lather
Hand Washing step #5 - ANSWERSWash the entire surface of the hands between the
fingers, around and under the fingernails and up to above the wrist
Hand Washing step #6 - ANSWERSRun water over the hands again to clean them
Greatest risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission - ANSWERSneedlestick injuries
Greatest source of risk to the practitioner and patient - ANSWERScontaminated
needles
CDC recommends washing hands - ANSWERS1. When hands are visibly dirty or
contaminated
2. If hands are not visibly soiled
3. Before contact with patients
4. After contact with patient's intact skin
5. After contact with fluids or patient's dressing
6. After removing gloves
7. Before and after eating
Hand Washing step #1 - ANSWERSGather the equipment needed to wash hands
(paper towels, soap (liquid), & running water
PROTOCOL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2026
Antiseptic - ANSWERSProducts designed to reduce the density of microbial life on
living tissue, particularly on the skin of the patient or practitioner
Aseptic techniques - ANSWERSTechniques for preventing infection during invasive
procedures (surgical operations, dressing wounds, etc)
Is acupuncture an aseptic procedure? - ANSWERSNo, because it is not performed in a
manner that preserves the sterility of of the acupuncturist's hands, or the skin of the
patient.
Is acupuncture a clean or sterile procedure? - ANSWERSClean, although needles must
be kept in a sterile condition for CNT.
Clean field - ANSWERSThe area that has been prepared to contain the equipment
necessary for acupuncture in such a way as to protect the sterility of the needles.
Clean field includes - ANSWERSclean surface on which equipment will be placed,
patient's skin around prepared acupuncture points & anything that touches the skin
Clean technique - ANSWERSuse of techniques that reduce risk of infection by reducing
# of pathogens -->reducing the chances for contact between the pathogens and patient
& personnel
Contamination - ANSWERSintroduction of contaminating viruses, bacteria, ect. into or
onto previously clean or sterile objects, rendering them unclean or non-sterile
Disinfectants - ANSWERSchemicals used in disinfection
should only be used on inanimate objects
Disinfection - ANSWERSUse of chemicals and procedures designed to destroy or
reduce the # of pathogens on inanimate objects
Sterilization - ANSWERSUse of procedures that destroy ALL microbial life, including
viruses. This is a rigid, uncompromising term.
in acupuncture sterilization is required for - ANSWERSALL instruments that pierce the
skin and insertion tubes
, CNT basic principle #1 - ANSWERSAlways wash hands between patients
Always wash hands before and after needling
CNT basic principle #2 - ANSWERSAlways use sterile single-use needles and other
instruments (such as 7-star hammers and lancets) that may break the skin
CNT basic principle #3 - ANSWERSAlways establish a clean field before performing
acupuncture
CNT basic principle #4 - ANSWERSAlways immediately isolate used needles and other
sharps
Will alcohol-based hand disinfectants be effective if practitioner's hands are soiled? -
ANSWERSNo, will not be effective
Hand Washing step #2 - ANSWERSRoll up long sleeves, remove watch and jewelery
(wedding band ok)
Hand Washing step #3 - ANSWERSWet soap and hands thoroughly
Hand Washing step #4 - ANSWERSRub soap to make lather
Hand Washing step #5 - ANSWERSWash the entire surface of the hands between the
fingers, around and under the fingernails and up to above the wrist
Hand Washing step #6 - ANSWERSRun water over the hands again to clean them
Greatest risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission - ANSWERSneedlestick injuries
Greatest source of risk to the practitioner and patient - ANSWERScontaminated
needles
CDC recommends washing hands - ANSWERS1. When hands are visibly dirty or
contaminated
2. If hands are not visibly soiled
3. Before contact with patients
4. After contact with patient's intact skin
5. After contact with fluids or patient's dressing
6. After removing gloves
7. Before and after eating
Hand Washing step #1 - ANSWERSGather the equipment needed to wash hands
(paper towels, soap (liquid), & running water
