Biomedical Safety and Red Flags Flashcards
7 cards from real NCCAOM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Biomedical Safety and Red Flags flashcards as text
Needling at GB-21 (Jianjing) is relatively contraindicated in which patient population?
Answer: Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester
GB-21 is a descending point that can stimulate uterine contractions and is relatively contraindicated during pregnancy due to risk of inducing labor.
Which anatomical region carries the highest risk of pneumothorax if needling depth or angle is not carefully controlled?
Answer: Supraclavicular fossa and upper chest/back region overlying the lungs
The supraclavicular fossa and thoracic regions overlying the lungs have minimal tissue depth in some patients; incorrect needling can puncture the pleura causing pneumothorax.
An epileptic patient begins seizing during acupuncture treatment. The practitioner's priority action is:
Answer: Carefully remove all needles and protect the patient from injury during the seizure
During a seizure, removing needles prevents injury and needle breakage, then focus on patient safety by protecting them from hitting hard surfaces.
Moxibustion is absolutely contraindicated over skin areas where the patient has:
Answer: Impaired or absent sensation due to neuropathy
Patients with impaired sensation cannot perceive heat, making burn injury a serious risk; moxibustion over such areas is absolutely contraindicated.
SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) should be avoided or used with extreme caution primarily because it can:
Answer: Stimulate uterine contractions and is contraindicated during pregnancy
SP-6 is a classical contraindicated point during pregnancy as it is known to stimulate uterine contractions and can potentially induce premature labor.
Needling directly over a large varicose vein is avoided primarily because of the risk of:
Answer: Hemorrhage, phlebitis, or thromboembolism from vessel puncture
Puncturing a varicose vein risks uncontrolled bleeding, local inflammation (phlebitis), or dislodging a clot that could cause thromboembolism.
When treating an infant or very young child with acupuncture, which needle technique modification is most critical for safety?
Answer: Using shorter needles with very shallow insertion and non-retained technique
Pediatric patients have thin tissue layers and cannot communicate discomfort reliably; short needles with shallow, non-retained insertion minimize injury risk.