Medical Terminology

Chapter 9:

Medical Terminology

(pp. 104 - 111)

Mr. Major/Mrs. Mercado

​Medical Terms (p. 104)

• "Understanding the basics of medical terminology is important for your training and work."

• If the CNA does not understand a word, phrase, or abbreviation:

  • As RN for its meaning

  • Use a medical dictionary​

• Most medical terms are from Greek or Latin

• ​Word elements are combined to form medical terms:

  • ​Prefix

  • ​Root

  • ​Suffix

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE?

Medical terms consist of parts or word elements.

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Prefixes, Roots, & Suffixes (pp. 104-07)

• ​Prefix - word element at beginning of a term; alters meaning of the word.

  • ​E.g. HEMI [prefix = "half"] + PLEGIA [suffix = "paralysis"] -> HEMIPLEGIA

  • ​Used with other word elements, but not alone!

• ​Root - word element that contains the basic meaning of the term.

  • ​Combines with another root (prefix -or- suffix)

  • ​Vowel added (an o or an i ) when 2 roots are combined (or suffix added)

    E.g. Cardi(o) = "heart" ; Neur(o) = "nerve" -> makes word easier to pronounce

• ​Suffix - word element at end of a term; alters meaning of the word.

  • ​Used with other word elements, but not alone!

    • E.g. Colon(o) + Scopy

      • ​ [root] [suffix]

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE?

A prefix is often used alone.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

The prefix "ab-" means __________.

• Towards

• Against

• Double

• Away from

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE?

The root contains the basic meaning of the word.

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Defining Medical Terms

(p. 107)

• ​To define medical terms:

  • 1) Separate word into elements

  • 2) Read the meaning

• ​Begin with suffix

  • Read meaning of suffix

• ​Then, go to beginning of word

  • Read meaning of each word part up to suffix

• ​For terms w/ prefix + suffix only:

  • Read meaning of prefix

  • Then, read meaning of suffix

Multiple Choice

Which of the following terms means "inflammation of a joint?"

• Apnea

• Hemiplegia

• Arthritis

• Paralysis

​Abdominal Regions (p. 108)

• ​The abdomen is divided into regions

  • ​Used to describe the location of:

    • ​Body structures

    • ​Pain/discomfort

• ​The regions are as follows:

  • ​Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

  • ​Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

  • ​Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

  • ​Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

    • ​ See Figure 9-2 ----------->

​Directional Terms (p. 108)

• ​Medical terms can describe the position of 1 body part r/t another:

  • ​Give direction of body part when pt is standing and facing forward

  • ​Arms stretched out

  • ​Thumbs pointing outward

• ​Anterior (ventral)

  • ​At or toward the front of the body/body part

• ​Posterior (dorsal)

  • ​At or toward the back of the body/body part

• ​See Figure 9-3 -------------------->

Multiple Choice

Anterior means __________.

• at the side of the body or body part.

• the part nearest to the center.

• at or toward the front of the body or body part.

• at or toward the back of the body or body part.

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE?

Posterior is toward the front of the body.

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Directional Terms (continued)

​___________________________________

• ​Proximal

  • ​The part nearest to the pt's center/point of attachment.

• ​Distal

  • ​The part farthest from the pt's center/point of attachment.

• ​Lateral

  • ​Away from the pt's mid-line; at the side of the body/body part.

• ​Medial

  • ​At or near the middle or mid-line of the pt's body/body part.

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE?

Distal refers to the part of the body furthest from the center.

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Abbreviations (pp. 108-09)

​___________________________________________________________

• ​Abbreviations - Shortened forms of words or phrases

  • Save time & space when recording/charting

  • ​Each agency has a list of their "allowed abbreviations"

    • ​Obtain list when hired & use only those abbreviations allowed by facility

  • ​If unsure about the abbrev -> write the term out in full = promotes clear communication!

Multiple Choice

Shortened forms of words/phrases are referred to as __________.

• Suffixes

• Word elements

• Abbreviations

• Medical terms

​Abbreviations

_____________________

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​Common Terms

& Phrases (p. 110)

____________________________

• ​Some common medical terms & phrases apply to:

  • ​Basic care

  • ​Safety

  • ​Patient's condition

• ​Used throughout text & within health care settings across U.S.

  • ​Some are presented as Key Terms in other chapters

  • ​See Table 9-4 ----------------->

Multiple Choice

"Dysphagia" means __________.

• difficulty swallowing

• difficulty urinating

• difficulty walking

• difficulty speaking