Chapter 4: Medical prefixes, suffixes, root words, abbreviations, and acronyms

Question 1

Lack of or without.

Answer 1

A-, an-

Question 2

Indicates a process.

Answer 2

-ation

Question 3

Dys- (Example: Dystonia)

Answer 3

Abnormal, difficult, or painful.

Question 4

-ectomy (Example: hysterectomy)

Answer 4

Surgical removal of something.

Question 5

-ismus

Answer 5

Indicates a spasm or contraction.

Question 6

-itis (Example: Artheritis)

Answer 6

Signifies inflammation.

Question 7

Macro- (Example: Macrovascular disease)

Answer 7

Large in size.

Question 8

-lysis (Example: paralysis)

Answer 8

Decomposition, destruction, or breaking down.

Question 9

Melano (Example: Melanoma)

Answer 9

Black or dark in color

Question 10

Micro- (Example: Microorganisms)

Answer 10

Small in size.

Question 11

-ology (Example: Biology)

Answer 11

The study of a particular concentration.

Question 12

-osis (Example: Anaplasmosis)

Answer 12

Indicates something that is abnormal.

Question 13

-otomy (Example: Phlebotomy)

Answer 13

To cut into.

Question 14

-pathy (Example: hysteropathy)

Answer 14

Disease or disease process.

Question 15

-plasty (Example: rhinoplasty)

Answer 15

Surgical repair.

Question 16

Poly- (Example: Polyposis)

Answer 16

Many.

Question 17

Pseudo-

Answer 17

False or deceptive, usually in regard to appearance.

Question 18

Retro- (Example: retrohepatic)

Answer 18

Behind or backward.

Question 19

Cardi/o

Answer 19

Related to the heart.

Question 20

Derm/a/o, dermat/o

Answer 20

Pertaining to the skin.

Question 21

Encephal/o

Answer 21

Related to the brain.

Question 22

Gastr/o

Answer 22

Related to the stomach.

Question 23

Hemat/o

Answer 23

Pertaining to blood.

Question 24

My/o

Answer 24

Related to muscle.

Question 25

Oste/o

Answer 25

Related to bone.

Question 26

Pulmon/o

Answer 26

Refers to the lungs.

Question 27

Rhin/o

Answer 27

Related to the nose.

Question 28

Sclerosis

Answer 28

Hard or hardening.

Question 29

Stasis

Answer 29

Slowing or stopping the flow of a bodily fluid.

Question 30

Therm/o

Answer 30

Indicates heat.

Question 31

Advanced life support.

Answer 31

ALS

Question 32

Bl wk

Answer 32

Blood work.

Question 33

Body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Answer 33

BMI

Question 34

Blood pressure.

Answer 34

BP

Question 35

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a life-saving technique that’s also called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Answer 35

CPR

Question 36

Cervical spine.

Answer 36

C-spine

Question 37

Do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating providers should not perform CPR.

Answer 37

DNR

Question 38

ER/ED

Answer 38

Emergency Room/ Emergency Department

Question 39

EKG

Answer 39

Electrocardiogram, a way of monitoring the heart and testing for problems.

Question 40

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “good” cholesterol.

Answer 40

HDL-C

Question 41

Heart rate, expressed as beats per minute

Answer 41

HR

Question 42

LDL-C

Answer 42

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol.

Question 43

Electrolytes.

Answer 43

Lytes

Question 44

Operating room where surgeries are performed.

Answer 44

OR

Question 45

Preoperative.

Answer 45

Pre-op

Question 46

Refers to psychiatry or the psychiatric ward.

Answer 46

Psych

Question 47

Physical therapy, a type of treatment to help patients move and feel better.

Answer 47

PT

Question 48

RX

Answer 48

Prescription, usually for medication but can also signify another treatment.

Question 49

Stat

Answer 49

Immediately.