CAC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CAC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which spinal nerve roots form the sciatic nerve? → L4-S3
2. What is the standard of care for health promotion in clinical practice? → Evidence-based practice aligned with current clinical guidelines
3. Which item belongs in the clean field during an acupuncture treatment? → Sterile needle packages and clean cotton
4. In treatment planning, when is it appropriate to treat the branch (Biao) before the root (Ben)? → When acute symptoms are severe or life-threatening
5. Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) is the foundational formula for which pattern? → Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency
6. What is the standard of care for interdisciplinary care in clinical practice? → Evidence-based practice aligned with current clinical guidelines
7. Cupping should be avoided over which area? → Areas of broken skin, ulcers, or varicose veins
8. Where does a filiform needle most commonly break? → At the root, where the body joins the handle
9. Which combination of findings most strongly suggests bacterial meningitis? → Fever, stiff neck, and photophobia
10. Which organ is primarily responsible for detoxification and metabolism? → Liver
11. When treating a unilateral channel problem using the contralateral (opposite side) needling method, this technique is known as: → Miu ci (crossing needling)
12. A patient presents with a pale, swollen tongue with teeth marks on the edges. Which pattern does this most strongly suggest? → Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness
13. Which point is used as the Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen and also the 'Great Luo' that treats generalized body pain? → SP-21
14. What interdisciplinary collaboration principle applies to patient assessment? → Coordinated team-based care improves outcomes and reduces errors
15. A patient with a heavy, foggy-headed sensation, loose stools, and poor appetite most likely has which pattern? → Spleen Dampness
16. A patient asks for a copy of their acupuncture records. Under HIPAA, how should the practice generally respond? → Provide access within 30 days, though a reasonable cost-based fee may be charged
17. When a patient with Yin deficiency asks about alcohol consumption, what is the most appropriate TCM-based dietary guidance? → Alcohol should be avoided as it generates internal Heat and depletes Yin fluids
18. Excessive pensiveness or overthinking most directly injures which organ? → Spleen
19. Which method of de-identifying PHI involves removing 18 specified identifiers? → Safe Harbor method
20. Which Fu organ is also classified as an Extraordinary Fu? → Gallbladder
21. What is the standard of care for documentation standards in clinical practice? → Evidence-based practice aligned with current clinical guidelines
22. ST36 (Zusanli) is located how many cun below ST35 (Dubi)? → 3 cun
23. Which hand hygiene method is indicated when the practitioner's hands are visibly soiled? → Soap and water washing
24. A thick, yellow, greasy tongue coating most commonly indicates: → Damp-heat
25. Which acupuncture technique is primarily used on the ear? → Auricular acupuncture
26. The Lung meridian begins its superficial pathway at which point and terminates where? → Begins at LU1 (Zhongfu) and ends at LU11 (Shaoshang)
27. What privacy protection applies to health promotion records? → HIPAA and applicable state laws protect all patient health information
28. After swabbing a point with alcohol, what should the practitioner do before inserting the needle? → Allow the alcohol to air-dry
29. A pregnant patient at 34 weeks presents with sudden severe headache, visual disturbances, and swelling of the face and hands. What should the acupuncturist do? → Refer immediately for obstetric evaluation
30. How long can hepatitis B virus remain infectious on environmental surfaces at room temperature? → At least 7 days