NBCE acupuncture 2026 100% correct answers
Lung Pathology
Qi deficiency, Pallor, thin chest, sadness, skin problems, atopic cons tu on, phlegm, exterior
invasions of wind
Func on of lungs
Govern Qi and respira on, control channels and blood vessels, control diffusing and
descending QI, control skin and hair, open into the nose, control nasal mucus, house the
corporeal soul
Lung Qi Deficiency
slight shortness of breath, slight cough, weak voice, spontaneous day me swea ng, dislike
speaking, bright-pale complexion, propensityb to catch colds, redness, dislike of cold, pale
tongue, empty pulse - especially right front poso on
Lung Yin Deficiency
cough which is dry, weak hoarse voice, dry mouth, ckly throat, redness, dislike speaking,
thin body/chest, night swea ng, normal tongue thast is dry w/o coa ng, floa ng empty
pulse
Lung Dryness
dry cough, dry skin, dry throat, dry mouth, thirst, hoarse voice, dry tongue, empty pulse -
especially in right front posi on
Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Cold
Aversion to cold, fever, cough, itchy throat, slight breathlessness, stuffed or runny nose with
clear watery discharge, sneezing, occipital headaches, body aches, thin white tongue
coa ng, floa ng- ght pulse
Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Heat
Aversion to cold, fever, cough, sore throat, stuffed or runny nose withyellow discharge,
headaches, body aches, slight swea ng, slight thirst, swollen tonsils, tongue slightly red on
sides/front, floa ng-rapid pulse
Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Water
sudden swelling of eyes and face gradually spreading to the whole body, bright shiny
complexion, scanty and pale urina on,aversion to wind, fever, cough, slight breathlessness,
s cky white tongue coa ng, floa ng-slippery pulse
,Lung-Heat
cough, slight breathlessness, feeling of heat, chest ache, flaring of nostrils, thirst, red face,
red tongue with yellow coa ng, overflowing-rapid pulse
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
chronic cough coming in bouts with profuse s cky white sputum, white pasty complexion,
feeling of oppression in the chest, phlegm in the throat, shortness of breath, dislike lying
down, wheezing, nausea, feeling of heaviness, dizziness, swollen tongue with a s cky white
coa ng, slippery and soggy pulse
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
cough with white expectorate, watery sputum, aggravated by cold, cold hands,phlegm in
throat, dizziness, oppression of the chest, feel cold in chest, feeling of heaviness, dizziness,
swollen and wet tongue with white coa ng, slippery slow pulse
Phlegm-Heat in the lungs
Barking cough with profuse s cky yellow/green sputum, shortness of breath, wheezing,
oppression in the chest, phlegm in the throat, feeling of heat, thirst, insomnia, agita on,
feeling of heaviness, dizziness, red/wollen tongue with s cky yellow coat, slippery rapid
pulse
Dry-Phlegm in the lungs
Dry Cough with occasional difficult sputum, shortness of breath,oppression of chest, scanty
phlegm in throat, feeling of heaviness, dizziness, dry throat, wheezing, pasty dry complexion,
swollen tongue with dry s cky coa ng, slippery-fine pulse
Phlegm Fluids in Lungs
cough with white expectorate, watery sputum, breathlessness, splashing sound in the chest,
vomi ng of white watery frothy sputum, oppression of the chest, feeling of heaviness,
dizziness, feeling cold, coughing elicited by a scare, pale tongue with thick s cky white
coa ng, fine/slippery/soggy/wiry pulse
Heart and Lung Qi Deficiency
slight shortness of breath, slight cough, weak voice, dislike speaking, bright-white
complexion, propensity to catch colds, redness, palpita ons, shortness of breath on
exer on, depression, spontaneous swea ng, sighing, pale tongue, empty pulse
All phlegm pa/erns of the lungs include
cough with expectorar on of sputum
Spleen Func on
,governs transforma on and transporta on, controls the ascending Qi, controls blood,
controls the muscles and 4 limbs, opens into the mouth, manifests in the lips, controls saliva,
controls the raising of Qi, hoses the intellect, affected by pensiveness
Spleen Pathologies involve
redness, diges ve disorders, dull-yellow complexion, abdominal distension
The spleen likes this type of food
warm, dry
Most common cause of chronic redness
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Spleen Qi Deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, desire to lay
down, pale complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, pale tongue, empty pulse
Spleen Yang deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, desire to lay
down curled up, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, feeling cold, cold
limbs, edema, pale and wet tongue, deep-weak pulse
The main cause of organ prolapse
Spleen Qi Sinking
Spleen Qi Sinking
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, depression, tendency to obesity, a bearing
down sensa on in abdomen, prolapse of stomach/uterus/anus/bladder, frequent/urgent
urina on, menorrhagia, pale tongue, weak pulse
Spleen not controlling blood
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, pale-sallow
complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, depression, blood spots under the skin,
blood in the urine/stools, excessive uterine bleeding, pale tongue, weak-fine pulse
Spleen-Blood deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, dull pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, depression, thin body, scanty periods,
amenhhorhea, insomnia, pale-thin and slightly dry tongue, choppy-fine pulse
Cold Dampness invading the Spleen
, poor appe te, feeling of fullness in the epigastrium/abdomen, feeling of cold in epigastrium
that improves with hea ng, feeling of heaviness, swee sh taste/no taste, no thirst, loose
stools, lassitude, redness, nausea, edema, dull-white complexion, excessive white vaginal
discharge, pale tongue with white s cky coat, slippery-slow pulse
Damp Heat Invading the Spleen
feeling of fullness in the epigastrium/abdomen with pain, poor appe te, feeling of
heaviness, thirst w/o desire to drink, nausea, vomi ng, loose stools that s nk, burning
sensa on in anus, feeling of heat, scanty dark urine, low grade fever, dull headache, dull-
yellow complexion like tangerine peel, yellow sclera, oily sweat, bi/er taste, itchy skin,
swea ng that does not relieve fever, red tongue with s cky yellow coa ng, slippery-rapid
pulse
Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency
palpita ons, dizziness, insomnia, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to be startled, dull-pale
complexion, pale lips, redness, weak muscles, loose stools, poor appe te, scanty periods,
pale and thin tongue, choppy-fine pulse
Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, tendency to obesity, slight shortness of breath,
slight cough, weak voice, spontaneous day me swea ng, dislike speaking, propensity to
catch colds, dislike of cold, pale tongue, empty pulse- especially on right side
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, dull-pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, thin body, scanty periods, amenhhorhea,
insomnia, dizziness, numbness of limbs, blurred vision, floaters in eyes, diminished night
vision, pale lips, muscular weakness, cramps, withered and bri/le nails, dry hair and skin,
slight depression, a feeling of aimlessness, pale tongue especially on the sides, dry-choppy-
fine pulse
Obstruc on of the Spleen by Dampness with Stagna on of Liver Qi
feeling of oppression/fullness of epigastrium, nausea, no appe te, loose stools, feeling of
heaviness, dry mouth w/o desire to drink, sallow complexion, hypochondrial pain, bi/er
taste, s cky taste, epigastric and hypochondrial distension, irritability, thick yellow tongue
coa ng, slippery-wiry pulse
With the Spleen these symptoms are paramount
Diges ve
Func on of Kidney
Lung Pathology
Qi deficiency, Pallor, thin chest, sadness, skin problems, atopic cons tu on, phlegm, exterior
invasions of wind
Func on of lungs
Govern Qi and respira on, control channels and blood vessels, control diffusing and
descending QI, control skin and hair, open into the nose, control nasal mucus, house the
corporeal soul
Lung Qi Deficiency
slight shortness of breath, slight cough, weak voice, spontaneous day me swea ng, dislike
speaking, bright-pale complexion, propensityb to catch colds, redness, dislike of cold, pale
tongue, empty pulse - especially right front poso on
Lung Yin Deficiency
cough which is dry, weak hoarse voice, dry mouth, ckly throat, redness, dislike speaking,
thin body/chest, night swea ng, normal tongue thast is dry w/o coa ng, floa ng empty
pulse
Lung Dryness
dry cough, dry skin, dry throat, dry mouth, thirst, hoarse voice, dry tongue, empty pulse -
especially in right front posi on
Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Cold
Aversion to cold, fever, cough, itchy throat, slight breathlessness, stuffed or runny nose with
clear watery discharge, sneezing, occipital headaches, body aches, thin white tongue
coa ng, floa ng- ght pulse
Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Heat
Aversion to cold, fever, cough, sore throat, stuffed or runny nose withyellow discharge,
headaches, body aches, slight swea ng, slight thirst, swollen tonsils, tongue slightly red on
sides/front, floa ng-rapid pulse
Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Water
sudden swelling of eyes and face gradually spreading to the whole body, bright shiny
complexion, scanty and pale urina on,aversion to wind, fever, cough, slight breathlessness,
s cky white tongue coa ng, floa ng-slippery pulse
,Lung-Heat
cough, slight breathlessness, feeling of heat, chest ache, flaring of nostrils, thirst, red face,
red tongue with yellow coa ng, overflowing-rapid pulse
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
chronic cough coming in bouts with profuse s cky white sputum, white pasty complexion,
feeling of oppression in the chest, phlegm in the throat, shortness of breath, dislike lying
down, wheezing, nausea, feeling of heaviness, dizziness, swollen tongue with a s cky white
coa ng, slippery and soggy pulse
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
cough with white expectorate, watery sputum, aggravated by cold, cold hands,phlegm in
throat, dizziness, oppression of the chest, feel cold in chest, feeling of heaviness, dizziness,
swollen and wet tongue with white coa ng, slippery slow pulse
Phlegm-Heat in the lungs
Barking cough with profuse s cky yellow/green sputum, shortness of breath, wheezing,
oppression in the chest, phlegm in the throat, feeling of heat, thirst, insomnia, agita on,
feeling of heaviness, dizziness, red/wollen tongue with s cky yellow coat, slippery rapid
pulse
Dry-Phlegm in the lungs
Dry Cough with occasional difficult sputum, shortness of breath,oppression of chest, scanty
phlegm in throat, feeling of heaviness, dizziness, dry throat, wheezing, pasty dry complexion,
swollen tongue with dry s cky coa ng, slippery-fine pulse
Phlegm Fluids in Lungs
cough with white expectorate, watery sputum, breathlessness, splashing sound in the chest,
vomi ng of white watery frothy sputum, oppression of the chest, feeling of heaviness,
dizziness, feeling cold, coughing elicited by a scare, pale tongue with thick s cky white
coa ng, fine/slippery/soggy/wiry pulse
Heart and Lung Qi Deficiency
slight shortness of breath, slight cough, weak voice, dislike speaking, bright-white
complexion, propensity to catch colds, redness, palpita ons, shortness of breath on
exer on, depression, spontaneous swea ng, sighing, pale tongue, empty pulse
All phlegm pa/erns of the lungs include
cough with expectorar on of sputum
Spleen Func on
,governs transforma on and transporta on, controls the ascending Qi, controls blood,
controls the muscles and 4 limbs, opens into the mouth, manifests in the lips, controls saliva,
controls the raising of Qi, hoses the intellect, affected by pensiveness
Spleen Pathologies involve
redness, diges ve disorders, dull-yellow complexion, abdominal distension
The spleen likes this type of food
warm, dry
Most common cause of chronic redness
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Spleen Qi Deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, desire to lay
down, pale complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, pale tongue, empty pulse
Spleen Yang deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, desire to lay
down curled up, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, feeling cold, cold
limbs, edema, pale and wet tongue, deep-weak pulse
The main cause of organ prolapse
Spleen Qi Sinking
Spleen Qi Sinking
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, depression, tendency to obesity, a bearing
down sensa on in abdomen, prolapse of stomach/uterus/anus/bladder, frequent/urgent
urina on, menorrhagia, pale tongue, weak pulse
Spleen not controlling blood
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, pale-sallow
complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, depression, blood spots under the skin,
blood in the urine/stools, excessive uterine bleeding, pale tongue, weak-fine pulse
Spleen-Blood deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, dull pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, depression, thin body, scanty periods,
amenhhorhea, insomnia, pale-thin and slightly dry tongue, choppy-fine pulse
Cold Dampness invading the Spleen
, poor appe te, feeling of fullness in the epigastrium/abdomen, feeling of cold in epigastrium
that improves with hea ng, feeling of heaviness, swee sh taste/no taste, no thirst, loose
stools, lassitude, redness, nausea, edema, dull-white complexion, excessive white vaginal
discharge, pale tongue with white s cky coat, slippery-slow pulse
Damp Heat Invading the Spleen
feeling of fullness in the epigastrium/abdomen with pain, poor appe te, feeling of
heaviness, thirst w/o desire to drink, nausea, vomi ng, loose stools that s nk, burning
sensa on in anus, feeling of heat, scanty dark urine, low grade fever, dull headache, dull-
yellow complexion like tangerine peel, yellow sclera, oily sweat, bi/er taste, itchy skin,
swea ng that does not relieve fever, red tongue with s cky yellow coa ng, slippery-rapid
pulse
Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency
palpita ons, dizziness, insomnia, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to be startled, dull-pale
complexion, pale lips, redness, weak muscles, loose stools, poor appe te, scanty periods,
pale and thin tongue, choppy-fine pulse
Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, tendency to obesity, slight shortness of breath,
slight cough, weak voice, spontaneous day me swea ng, dislike speaking, propensity to
catch colds, dislike of cold, pale tongue, empty pulse- especially on right side
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
poor appe te, slight abdominal distension a4er ea ng, redness, lassitude, dull-pale
complexion, weakness of limbs, loose stools, thin body, scanty periods, amenhhorhea,
insomnia, dizziness, numbness of limbs, blurred vision, floaters in eyes, diminished night
vision, pale lips, muscular weakness, cramps, withered and bri/le nails, dry hair and skin,
slight depression, a feeling of aimlessness, pale tongue especially on the sides, dry-choppy-
fine pulse
Obstruc on of the Spleen by Dampness with Stagna on of Liver Qi
feeling of oppression/fullness of epigastrium, nausea, no appe te, loose stools, feeling of
heaviness, dry mouth w/o desire to drink, sallow complexion, hypochondrial pain, bi/er
taste, s cky taste, epigastric and hypochondrial distension, irritability, thick yellow tongue
coa ng, slippery-wiry pulse
With the Spleen these symptoms are paramount
Diges ve
Func on of Kidney
