Medical Terminology: Exam 1 - LC Ready

The suffix meaning "pain" is: a. -ary. b. -agogue. c. -able. d. -algia.

-algia - Rationale: Algia means pain. Examples are arthralgia (joint pain) or myalgia (muscle pain).

The suffix meaning "inflammation" is: a. -ist. b. -osis. c. -ia. d. -itis.

-itis - Inflammation is indicated by the suffix -itis. This is seen in terms like appendicitis and arthritis.

The suffix meaning "enlargement" is: a. -malacia. b. -megalia. c. -meter. d. -mania.

-megalia - Rationale: Suffixes -megalia and -megaly both refer to enlargement of a body part. - -malacia is abnormal softening. - -meter is a means of measuring (e.g. an instrument). - -mania usually refers to excessive preoccupation or excitement (as in egomania).

The suffix meaning "tumor" is: a. -opia. b. -osis. c. -oma. d. -ose.

-oma - Rationale: Many terms for tumors (cancerous and non-cancerous) end in -oma including melanoma, adenoma, and sarcoma.

The suffix meaning "growth" is: a. -otomy. b. -stasis. c. -ptosis. d. -plasia.

-plasia - Rationale: The suffix -plasia means growth. Hyperplasia in an increase in the number of cells. - -stasis is inactivity or lack of motion; equilibrium. - -ptosis refers to a low position or drooping. - -otomy is a surgical incision or creation of an opening.

The suffix meaning "repair" is: a. -fuge. b. -plasty. c. -plasia. d. -lexia.

-plasty - Rationale: The suffix -plasty means to repair. Rhinoplasty is a repair of the nose (a "nose job"). - -fuge means to drive out or away (e.g. centrifuge). - -plasia means growth. - -lexia means reading.

The suffix meaning "crushing" is: a. -iatric. b. -ectomy. c. -tripsy. d. -pexy.

-tripsy - Rationale: The suffix -tripsy means crushing. A lithotripsy is a procedure that uses sound waves to break up (crush) kidney stones. - -iatric refers to medical treatment (e.g. pediatric). - -ectomy refers to surgical removal(appendectomy). - -pexy refers to making something faster (gastropexy).

The nephron is part of which organ? a. Heart b. Urinary bladder c. Liver d. Kidney

Kidney - Rationale: The nephron is the functional and structural unit of the kidney. The filtering function of the nephron maintains a vital balance of water and other substances (e.g. sodium) in the body.

Which of these terms does NOT mean "mouth"? a. Oro- b. Os- c. Stomato- d. Naso-

Naso- - Rationale: All of the terms refer to mouth except naso (which refers to nose). Nasopharynx uses "naso-" and is the part of the throat which is behind the nose and is superior to the oropharynx.

Which of these terms does NOT mean "egg" or "ovum"? a. Ovi- b. Oto- c. Oo- d. Ovo-

Oto- - Rationale: Oto- refers to the ear. All other choices refer to egg or ovum.

Which of these terms does NOT mean "before"? a. Fore- b. Pre- c. Post- d. Ante-

Post- - Rationale: Post- means after or later than. All of the others mean before.

The left arm moving away from the body is referred to as: a. abduction. b. flexion. c. extension. d. adduction.

abduction - Rationale: Abduction is moving away from the body. Adduction is moving toward the body. - Extension increases the angle between two body parts while flexion reduces the angle.

The premature or partial separation of the placenta from the uterine wall is: a. uterine rupture. b. placenta previa. c. menstruation. d. abruptio placentae.

abruptio placentae - Rationale: Abruptio placentae (also called placental abruption) is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. It may be complete or partial. This often presents with back or abdominal pain, contractions and vaginal bleeding.

A patient that has no signs of a fever is said to be: a. afebrile. b. anterior. c. asystolic. d. anxious.

afebrile - Rationale: Febrile refers to fever. Placing the "a" before changes the meaning to "without fever."

The prefix meaning "white" is: a. erythr-. b. albo-. c. cyan-. d. xanth-.

albo- - Rationale: Albo- means white. Xanth- is yellow, cyan- is blue and eryth- is red.

The loss of memory after a concussion is referred to as: a. amnesia. b. ataxia. c. anemia. d. aphasia.

amnesia - Rationale: Amnesia is a loss of memory which may occur after a head injury. - Anemia is a reduction in red blood cells or hemoglobin. - Ataxia is a lack of muscular coordination. - Aphasia is the loss of the ability to understand or express speech.

A reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells is: a. anemia. b. hypoxemia. c. hypoxia. d. asphyxia.

anemia - A reduction in the number of red blood cells is anemia. This term may also refer to reduced levels of hemoglobin, the molecule that transports oxygen within the red blood cell. - Hypoxia is a reduction of oxygen in the tissues while hypoxemia is reduction of oxygen content in the blood. - Asphyxia is a general condition where the body is deprived of oxygen (e.g. suffocation or strangulation).

The prefix meaning "vessel" is: a. lymph-. b. leuko-. c. angio-. d. hema-.

angio- - Rationale: Angio- means vessel. This may be seen in terms such as angiography (a procedure to visualize a blood vessel).

The period of time before birth is called: a. postnatal. b. postpartum. c. antepartum. d. neonate.

antepartum - Rationale: Ante means before. Partum means childbirth. Antepartum testing is testing done before childbirth. - Postpartum (e.g. postpartum depression) is depression after birth.

A medication that blocks the effects of histamine is called an: a. antimicrobial. b. antihypertensive. c. antihistamine. d. anticoagulant.

antihistamine - Rationale: Anti means opposed to or against. An antihistamine is a medication that works against histamine. An anticoagulant prevents coagulation of the blood. Antimicrobial kills or works against microorganisms and an antihypertensive lowers blood pressure.

The absence of breathing is called: a. tachypnea. b. hypopnea. c. apnea. d. eupnea.

apnea - Rationale: A- or an- means without. Pnea is breathing. Apnea is without (or absence of) breathing. - Tachypnea is rapid breathing, eupnea is normal breathing and hypopnea is slow or shallow breathing.

A patient with uncoordinated movement has: a. ataxia. b. anxiety. c. dysphasia. d. hypoxia.

ataxia - Rationale: Ataxia is uncoordinated movement. Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing, hypoxia is low levels of oxygen in the blood and anxiety is defined as an uneasiness of the mind.

A _____ tumor is NOT considered to be cancerous. a. malignant b. benign c. cyst d. subcutaneous

benign - Rationale: Benign tumors are NOT cancerous. Malignant tumors are cancerous.

Inflammation of the gallbladder is called: a. gingivitis. b. cholecystitis. c. pancreatitis. d. chelitis.

cholecystitis - Rationale: "-itis" refers to inflammation. "Chole-" means bile, which is stored in the gallbladder, and usually refers to that organ.

The prefix meaning "urinary bladder" is: a. chiro-. b. cirrho-. c. chole-. d. cysto-.

cysto- - Rationale: "Cysto" means bladder or sac and is commonly used to refer to the urinary bladder.

The prefix meaning "thirst" is: a. dipla-. b. dur-. c. dips-. d. dys-.

dips- - Rationale: "dips-" refers to thirst. Polydipsia refers to excessive thirst, which is often seen in hypoglycemic (elevated blood sugar) states.

The foot is _____ to the knee. a. proximal b. anterior c. lateral d. distal

distal - Rationale: The foot is farther from the body than the knee so it is distal. Remember that these are relative terms. While the foot is distal to the knee, the knee is distal to the hip.

The prefix meaning "plug" is: a. endo-. b. embol-. c. episi-. d. eschar-.

embol- - Rationale: An embolus blocks or "plugs" an artery. The prefix endo- means inner, episi- means vulva, and eschar- means scab.

Paralysis of one side of the body is: a. emesis. b. hemiplegia. c. dyspepsia. d. ataxia.

hemiplegia - Rationale: Hemi- means half and -plegia is paralysis.

The prefix meaning "sameness" is: a. hema-. b. homeo-. c. histo-. d. hetero-.

homeo- - Rationale: A word using the prefix homeo- is homeostasis. Homeo- refers to sameness while "stasis" refers to stability. The body tries to constantly maintain a balance of fluids, gasses and pH. In contrast, the prefix hetero- means different, as in heterogeneous. - Histo- means tissue and hema- means blood.

A person that has high cholesterol has: a. hypertrophy. b. hyperglycemia. c. hyperlipidemia. d. hyperthyroidism.

hyperlipidemia - Rationale: Hyper- refers to elevated or high, while -lipidemia refers to fats in the blood. Cholesterol is one of the fats found in the blood.

Enlargement of a cell in response to an outside stimulus is: a. hyperplasia. b. atrophy. c. hypertrophy. d. apoptosis.

hypertrophy - Rationale: Hypertrophy (the original roots are Greek meaning "excess" and "nourishment") is the enlargement of cells, which causes the enlargement of the organ in which they are contained.

If the body's core temperature drops below normal the patient is said to be: a. hypothermic. b. endothermic. c. exothermic. d. hyperthermic.

hypothermic - The prefix hypo- means low or under. The suffix -thermia refers to temperature. Hyper- means elevated, so hyperthermic is body temperature well above normal.

The cervix is the _____ portion of the uterus. a. medial b. superior c. inferior d. lateral

inferior - Rationale: Inferior is lower or toward the feet. The cervix is in the inferior, or lower, part of the uterus.

The prefix meaning "fat" is: a. leuco-. b. lord-. c. linguo-. d. lipo-.

lipo- - Rationale: Lipo- means fat. An example is liposuction, a procedure where fat is removed (suctioned) from the body. - Lingu/o- refers to the tongue. - Leuco- (leuko-) refers to white. - Lord- refers to a curve.

The prefix meaning "stone" is: a. mal-. b. nephro-. c. lith-. d. dur-.

lith- - Rationale: Lith- means stone. A lithotripsy is a procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones in the body. - Nephro- refers to the kidney. - Mal- means abnormal, bad or poor. - Dur- refers to the dura mater (outer membrane of the brain/spinal column).

The prefix meaning "large" is: a. micro-. b. macro-. c. extra-. d. poly-.

macro- - Rationale: Macro- means large. A macrophage is a large white blood cell which engulfs (ingests) foreign substances in the body. - Micro- means small (as in microscopic). - Poly- means many. - Extra- means outside.

The surgical removal of the breast tissue is called a: a. mastectomy. b. laparohysterectomy. c. colostomy. d. orchiectomy.

mastectomy - Rationale: Mast- refers to the breast and -ectomy is a surgical removal. - A colostomy is making an opening in the colon. - Laporohysterectomy is performing a hysterectomy by laparoscopy. - Orchiectomy is removal of a testicle.

The prefix meaning "muscle" is: a. osteo-. b. myo-. c. derm-. d. angio-.

myo- - Rationale: Prefixes my- and myo- refer to muscle. An example is myalgia, which is muscle pain. - Osteo- refers to bone. - Derm- refers to the skin. - Angio- refers to vessels (most commonly blood vessels but may also include lymph vessels).

A physician that specializes in conditions affecting the brain and nerves is a: a. urologist. b. ophthalmologist. c. neurologist. d. nephrologist.

neurologist - Rationale: The prefix neuro- refers to a nerve or a component of the nervous system. The suffix -ologist refers to one who studies, or a specialist in a certain area. - A nephrologist specializes in kidney conditions. - Urologist specializes in the urinary tract. - Ophthalmologist specializes in eye diseases.

The prefix meaning "shoulder" is: a. ovo-. b. oro-. c. oto-. d. omo-.

omo- - Rationale: Omo- is the prefix for shoulder. - Ovo- refers to egg or ovum. - Oro- refers to the mouth. - Oto- is a prefix having to do with the ear.

The surgical removal of the ovary is referred to as: a. hysterectomy. b. oophorectomy. c. gastrectomy. d. cystostomy.

oophorectomy - Rationale: The suffix -ectomy means surgical excision of, or removal. Oophoro- refers to one or both ovaries. - Hysterectomy is a removal of all or part of the uterus. - Gastrectomy is removal of the stomach (or more likely parts of the stomach). - Cystostomy is creating an opening into the urinary bladder (cyst/o- means bladder).

The prefix meaning "bone" is: a. osteo-. b. lipo-. c. myo-. d. arthr-.

osteo- - Rationale: The prefix osteo- means bone. The prefix myo- means muscle, lipo- means fat, and arthr- means joint.

The prefix meaning "disease" is: a. plasm-. b. presby-. c. photo-. d. patho-.

patho- - Rationale: Patho- means disease. Pathophysiology is the study of abnormal physiological states or conditions. - Photo- means light. - Presby- means old age. - Plasm- means living substance or tissue.

A patient that urinates excessively has: a. polycythemia. b. polyuria. c. polyphagia. d. polydipsia.

polyuria - Rationale: Poly means more than one, more than usual or excessive. Uria refers to urine. - Polyphagia is excessive hunger or appetite. - Polycythemia is an increase in the percentage of red blood cells in total blood volume. - Polydipsia is excessive thirst.

An erythrocyte is also known as a: a. platelet. b. white blood cell. c. red blood cell. d. leukocyte.

red blood cell - Rationale: Erythro means red. - Leuko is another term for white.

The prefix meaning "hard" is: a. tetra-. b. sclero-. c. thrombo-. d. rachi-.

sclero- - Rationale: Sclero- means hard. It may also be used to refer to the sclera (white) of the eye. - Thromb/o- refers to blood clotting or clots. - Rachi- refers to the spine. - Tetra- means the number four.

The prefix meaning "joined" is: a. syn-. b. physo-. c. sial-. d. sarco-.

syn- - Rationale: Syn- means joined (as in synthesis). Sial- refers to saliva, physo- refers to air or gas and sarco- means flesh.

A rapid heart rate is known as: a. tachypnea. b. hyperpnea. c. tachycardia. d. hypercarbia.

tachycardia - Rationale: Tachycardia is rapid heart rate (tachy + cardia). - Tachypnea is rapid respiratory rate. - Hyperpnea is rapid and deep respiration. - Hypercarbia is an elevated carbon dioxide level.

A medication that causes the arteries to expand in diameter is a/an: a. vasopressor. b. vasodilator. c. antitussive. d. antibiotic.

vasodilator - Rationale: A vasodilator causes vessels to expand (vaso + dilate) - A vasopressor constricts vessels (makes smaller). - An antitussive prevents coughing. - An antibiotic is used to kill organisms (life). In the clinical sense it is used to kill bacteria which cause illness.