NBCE Acupuncture case studies
NBCE Acupuncture · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The NBCE Acupuncture Examination is a specialty examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), the organization that also delivers the pre-licensure chiropractic exams (Parts I, II, III, PHT and Part IV), the SPEC exam, and state exams. In the NBCE site navigation, acupuncture appears as one of the "Specialty Exams," and specialty exams are listed alongside the other testing programs under the Testing menu. The NBCE Acupuncture case studies are 5 cases and about 2,833 words.
1Supratherapeutic INR, Shoulder Pain, and Requests for Electroacupuncture and Cupping
A 72-year-old retired teacher presents with a 6-week history of right lateral shoulder pain after a fall. Pain is 7/10 with overhead reach, and she has a painful arc from 70 to 110 degrees.
666 words, about 3 min2Low-BMI Patient with COPD Requests Deep Needling at Thoracic Points
A 68-year-old man, 170 cm tall and 52 kg (BMI 18.0), seeks care for upper trapezius and interscapular pain that worsens with coughing. He has a 40-pack-year smoking history and mild COPD; today he has a productive cough but no fever, and SpO2 is 96% on room air.
579 words, about 3 min3Pregnancy at 22 Weeks with Requested Contraindicated Points and Electroacupuncture
A 31-year-old G2P1 at 22 weeks gestation presents with low back pain and nausea. She had acupuncture before pregnancy and asks for the same points as last time: LI4, SP6, GB21, BL60, CV4, plus electroacupuncture between LI4 and SP6.
536 words, about 3 min4Pacemaker, Neck Pain, and a Request for Electroacupuncture
A 76-year-old woman with a dual-chamber pacemaker implanted two years ago for sick sinus syndrome presents with neck and upper back pain after a minor motor vehicle collision. Pain is 5/10 and limits rotation.
522 words, about 3 min5First Acupuncture Visit, Needle Phobia, and Presyncope After the First Needle
A 24-year-old graduate student arrives for her first acupuncture treatment for migraine. She reports needle phobia and admits she skipped lunch because of a deadline.
530 words, about 3 min