Pulse Diagnosis

Question 1

How is a floating/superficial pulse described?

Answer 1

Easily palpated with light pressure but easily obliterated by heavy pressure

Superficial depth/force

Normal width, length and time

Question 2

How is a deep pulse described?

Answer 2

Cannot be felt with light pressure. Felt only with heavy pressure.

Deep depth/force

Normal width, length and time

Question 3

How is a rapid pulse described?

Answer 3

The rate is after than normal

Normal depth/force, width, and length

Increased rate

Question 4

How is a slow pulse described?

Answer 4

The rate is slower than normal

Normal depth/force, width, and length

Decreased rate

Question 5

How is a full pulse described?

Answer 5

Very forceful with all three palpation depths

Increased Depth/force

Wide

Long

Rapid

Question 6

How is a thin (thready) pulse described?

Answer 6

Soft and weak like a fine treated by very distinct and clear

Normal depth/force, width, length, and time

Question 7

How is a weak pulse described?

Answer 7

Soft, weak and forceless at all levels

Narrow

Short

Normal time

Question 8

How is a slippery pulse described?

Answer 8

Smooth, rounded and slippery like pearls rolling on a dish

Increased depth/force

Wide

Normal length

Rapid

Question 9

How is a choppy pulse described?

Answer 9

Rough/irregular like scraping bamboo surface lightly with a knife

Decreased in depth/force

Narrow

Short

Decreased rate

Question 10

How is a soft pulse described?

Answer 10

Superficial, thready, forceless. Easily felt with superficial palpation abut indistinct on deep palpation

Superficial depth/force

Narrow

Normal length

Decreased rate

Question 11

How is a wiry pulse described?

Answer 11

Taut, straight, and long like pressing a string of a violin

Increased depth/force

Normal width

Long length

Increased rate

Question 12

How is a knotted pulse described?

Answer 12

Normal depth/force, width, and length

Slow missed beats, irregular intervals

Question 13

How is an intermittent pulse described?

Answer 13

Weak depth/force

Normal width and length

Slow missed beats, regular intervals

Question 14

How is an abrupt pulse described?

Answer 14

Normal depth/force, width, and length

Rapid irregular pulses

Question 15

Which pattern is associated with a forceful floating/superficial pulse?

Answer 15

Exterior excess pattern

Question 16

Which pattern is associated with a weak floating/superficial pulse?

Answer 16

Exterior deficiency pattern

Question 17

Which pattern is associated with a rapid floating/superficial pulse?

Answer 17

Exterior Heat Pattern

Question 18

Which pattern is associated with a slow floating/superficial pulse?

Answer 18

Exterior Cold Pattern

Question 19

Which pattern is associated with a large/weak deep pulse?

Answer 19

Outward floating of deficient Yang Qi

Question 20

Which pattern is associated with a forceful deep pulse?

Answer 20

Interior Excess Pattern

Question 21

Which patterns are associated with a weak deep pulse?

Answer 21

Interior Deficiency Pattern - Qi or Yang deficiency

Question 22

Which pattern is associated with a forceful rapid pulse?

Answer 22

Excess Heat Pattern

Question 23

Which pattern is associated with a weak rapid pulse?

Answer 23

Deficiency Heat Pattern

Question 24

Which pattern is associated with a weak/superficial rapid pulse?

Answer 24

Outward floating of deficient Yang

Question 25

Which pattern is associated with a forceful slow pulse?

Answer 25

Excess Cold Pattern

Question 26

Which pattern is associated with a superficial slow pulse?

Answer 26

Exterior Cold Pattern

Question 27

Which pattern is associated with a deep slow pulse?

Answer 27

Interior Cold Pattern

Question 28

Which patterns are associated with a full pulse?

Answer 28

Excess Pattern Stagnant Blood Constipation High fever

Question 29

Which patterns are associated with a thin pulse?

Answer 29

Yin deficiency pattern Blood deficiency

Question 30

Which patterns are associated with a weak pulse?

Answer 30

Qi deficiency pattern Qi and Blood deficiency

Question 31

Which patterns are associated with a slippery pulse?

Answer 31

Phlegm Accumulation of Food in the stomach Excess Heat Pattern Physiological during pregnancy

Question 32

Which patterns are associated with a choppy pulse?

Answer 32

Qi and/or Blood stagnation Impairment of Kidney Jing (Essence) Yin deficiency

Question 33

Which patterns are associated with a soft pulse?

Answer 33

Spleen Qi deficiency Damp Pattern

Question 34

Which patterns are associated with a wiry pulse?

Answer 34

Disorder of the Liver Interior Wind Pattern (seizure) Pain Qi and/or Blood stagnation

Question 35

Which patterns are associated with a knotted pulse?

Answer 35

Extreme Yin Pattern Accumulation of Cold Retention of Cold Phlegm Blood stagnation

Question 36

Which patterns are associated with a regularly intermittent pulse?

Answer 36

Indicates a weakness of the Zang-Fu organs activities, pain, or trauma

Question 37

Which patterns are associated with a abrupt pulse?

Answer 37

Excess Yang Heat Qi and Blood stagnation Heart disease Retention of Phlegm or Food