CVA Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What privacy protection applies to infection prevention records? → HIPAA and applicable state laws protect all patient health information
2. A clinic surveys owners after acupuncture treatment courses. This feedback primarily measures: → Client satisfaction and experience
3. In TCVM tongue diagnosis, a purple tongue body most commonly indicates which condition? → Blood stagnation
4. In veterinary acupuncture, where is the commonly used point Bai-hui located? → At the lumbosacral space between L7 and S1
5. Which marketing claim by a certified veterinary acupuncturist would be considered unethical? → Acupuncture guarantees a cure for cancer
6. A horse becomes irritable during estrus, has signs that worsen with stress, and has a wiry pulse. Which pattern is most likely? → Liver Qi stagnation
7. A dog on an NSAID is started on acupuncture for osteoarthritis. What is the most appropriate approach to the NSAID? → Continue it and reassess the dose with the prescribing vet as response is monitored
8. In a debilitated, weak patient, how should needle number and stimulation typically be adjusted? → Fewer needles with gentle stimulation
9. Which practice best ensures conventional diagnoses are not overlooked in an acupuncture record? → Recording both the Western diagnosis or differentials and the TCVM pattern
10. In TCM, the 'Eight Principles' are used to categorize disease patterns. Which pair correctly represents one of the four opposing principles? → Interior and Exterior
11. In TCM, which organ is considered the 'Root of Post-Heaven Qi' and is responsible for transforming food into nutrients? → Spleen
12. Which is generally considered an appropriate way to maintain professional competence after CVA certification? → Complete ongoing continuing education in acupuncture and integrative medicine
13. What is the standard of care for quality improvement in clinical practice? → Evidence-based practice aligned with current clinical guidelines
14. A pet insurance company requests a patient's acupuncture records to process a claim. What should the practice do? → Release them with the client's authorization
15. Which electroacupuncture frequency pattern is often used to promote analgesia by alternating low and high frequencies? → Dense-disperse (mixed) frequency
16. What ethical consideration must a veterinary acupuncturist keep in mind when handling needles? → Sterilizing and properly disposing of needles
17. Which cells of the kidney secrete renin? → Juxtaglomerular cells
18. When a veterinary chiropractor and acupuncturist treat the same horse, what improves outcomes most? → Sharing findings and scheduling treatments in a coordinated plan
19. A confident, aloof, highly disciplined working dog with a Metal constitution is most prone to problems in which area? → Respiratory tract and skin
20. Which joint-related acupoint situation carries particular risk of a serious iatrogenic infection? → Inadvertent penetration into a joint capsule causing septic arthritis
21. Which system is responsible for fighting infections and protecting the body? → Immune system
22. How many permanent teeth does the adult cat have? → 30
23. During electroacupuncture, which electrode placement should be avoided? → Leads placed so current passes across the heart
24. In the TCM Ko (controlling) cycle, which element controls (restrains) Earth? → Wood
25. Which standard autoclave cycle is commonly used to sterilize reusable stainless steel instruments? → 121°C (250°F) at about 15 psi for at least 15–30 minutes
26. What suspends the distal phalanx (P3) within the equine hoof wall? → The interdigitating dermal and epidermal laminae
27. What is the most common method used to treat pain in veterinary patients? → Pain management with NSAIDs
28. Which Chinese herbal category is CONTRAINDICATED in pregnant veterinary patients? → Blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs
29. Which structure transports oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body? → Aorta
30. A client tells you their previous veterinarian 'did everything wrong.' What is the ethical response under AVMA principles? → Avoid disparaging the colleague and focus on the patient's current needs