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Ch5: Medical Terminology

Terms in this set (89)

Components that comprise medical terms include the:
Word root, prefix, suffix, combining vowels
The main part or stem of a word that conveys the essential meaning and indicates a body part
Word Root
Appears at the beginning of a word, usually describes location or intensity, not all medical terms have this, gives the word root its specific meaning
Prefixes
Appears at the end of words, usually indicates procedure, condition, disease, and part of speech
Suffix
What's the function of combining vowels?
It connects word root to suffix or other word root. Most cases, it's an o, or an i or e
What is combining form?
A combining vowel shown with the word root (Examples: cardi/o, gastr/o, pulmon/o)
What do prefixes indicate?
Numbers, colors, positions, directions
Body parts that lie farther from the midline, this word generally means "side"
Lateral (outer)
Body parts that lie closer to the midline
Medial (inner)
Proximinal and Distal definition
Describes the relationship of any two structures on an extremity (Proximal: Closer to the trunk) (Distal: Farther from the trunk/nearer to the free end of the extremity) (Ex: The elbow is distal tot he shoulder and proximal to the wrist and hand)
Superficial
Closer to or on the skin
Deep
Farther inside the body/tissue, away from the skin
Ventral
Refers to the belly side and anterior surface of the body
Dorsal
Refers to the spinal side and posterior surface of the body
Anterior
Front surface of the body
Posterior
Back surface of the body
Palmar surface
Front region of the hand (the palm)
Plantar surface
Bottom of the foot
Apex (apices)
Tip of a structure
Flexion
Bending a body part/joint
Extension
Straightening of a joint
Adduction
Movement toward the midline of the body
Abduction
Movement away from the midline of the body
Bilateral
Both sides of midline (Ex: Eyes, hands, feet)
Unilaterial
Only one side of the body (ex: unilateral chest expansion)
The four abdonimal cavity quadrants
Right upper qudrant, left upper quadrant, right lower quadrant, left lower quadrant
Prone
lying face down
Supine
lying face up
Fowler's position
Semi reclining with head elevated
High Fowler
Patient sits at a 90 degree angle
Semi-Fowler
patient sits at a 45 degree angle
Which of the following components of a medical term conveys its essential meaning?
a. prefix
b. suffix
c. word root
d. combining vowels
c. the word root
Prefixes can indicate:
A. color.
B. conditions.
C. body parts.
D. procedures.
A. color
The plural form of the word bronchus is:
Bronchi
The statement "the lungs are superior to the bladder" indicates that the lungs are closer to the:
a. feet
b. surface of the skin
c. head
d. trunk
c. head
Movement of the arm toward midline is referred to as:
a. flexion
b. extension
c. adduction
d. abduction
c. adduction (used to describe movement of a structure to the midline of the body)
A body part that lies closer to the midline when compared to another is considered to be:
a. medial
b. distal
c. lateral
d. proximal
a. medial (identifies a body part closer to the midline)
This is used to identify a body part that is on the "belly" side, or anterior surface of the body
a. deep
b. superficial
c. dorsal
d. ventral
d. ventral
You place a patient in the semi-Fowler's position for transport. This means the patient is:
A. lying on his or her back.
B. lying on his or her stomach.
C. sitting at a 45-degree angle.
D. sitting at a 90-degree angle.
c. sitting at a 45 degree anglen
A laceration located on the plantar surface is on the:
A. sole of the foot.
B. palm of the hand.
C. back of the body.
D. front of the body.
a. sole of the foot
When using abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols, an EMT should:
A. be familiar with those used in your agency.
B. use only those that are medically accepted.
C. use them to shorten documentation.
D. All of the above.
d. all of the above
Farther from the trunk
distal
Belly side of the body
ventral
Nearer to the head
superior
Bottom of the foot
plantar
Motion away from the midline
abduction
Lying face up
supine
Bending of a joint
flexion
Back surface of the body
posterior (dorsal)
Tachy-
fast
Brady-
slow
Hyper-
excessive, high
-megaly
enlargement
-oma
tumor
-ectomy
surgical removal
-algia
pain, painful condition
-pathy
disease
A patient was involved in a motor vehicle crash. He has abrasions to both arms. What word is used to describe this?
Bilateral
While assessing a patient, you note a fast pulse. How would you describe this?
Tachycardia
You are reviewing a patient care report and notice the abbreviation DOE. What does this mean?
a. dead on extrication
b. director of EMS
c. dyspnea on exertion
d. diabtes of elderly
c. dyspnea on exertion
You are transporting a 72 year old female from a hospital to an extended care facility. When reviewing her chart, you note that she underwent a pleurocentesis. What does this mean?
B. Draining fluid from the chest
You are preparing a patient for transport. A nurse informs you the patient has a history of AMI. What does this mean?
a. acute marrow inflammation
b. acute myocardial infarction
c. acute musculoskeletal infection
d. acute myocardial ischemia
b. acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Just prior to transporting a patient from a hospital to an extended care facility, the medical control physician informs you the patient is to remain NPO. What does this mean?
nothing by mouth
You are examining a patient who experienced a TIA. What does this mean?
Transient ischemic attack (mini stroke)
T/F: Not all medical terms will have a prefix
True
T/F: The ankle is proximal to the knee
False
T/F: When a term has more than one word root, a combining bowl must be placed between the two roots
True
T/F: Singular words that end in "a" change to "es" when plural
False
T/F: The wrist is proximal to the elbow
False (the elbow is closer to the center of the body)
T/F: The abbreviation for deep vein thrombosis is DVT
True
T/F: The suffix -plegia refers to plastic surgery
False (Plegia means paralysis, plastic surgery is plasty)
______________ means closer to or on the skin
superficial
The _______________ part of the body, or any body part, is the portion nearer to the head
superior
The way to describe the sections of the abdominal cavity is by ___________________
quadrants
The parts that lie closer to the midline are called ________________ inner structures
medial
A patient who is sitting upright is said to be in the ___________ _________________
fowler position
When trying to define a term, begin with the _____________ and work backwards
suffix
The body is in the ___ position when lying face down
Prone
____________________ take the place of words to shorten notes or documentation
Abbreviations
List all directional terms
Distal, Proximal, anterior, posterior, patient's right, patient's left, midline, medial, lateral, superior (near to head), posterior (away from head)
List all movement terms
flexion, extension, abduction, adduction
Ipsilateral
on the same side of the body
Contralateral
on the opposite side of the body
Bilateral
both sides
Abduction
Movement away from the midline of the body
Flexion
bending a joint
What are the five rules to use when converting terms from singular to plural?
1. singular words that end in "a" change to "ae" when plural
2. singular words that end in "is" change to "es" when plural
3. singular words that end in "on" or "um" change to "a" when plural
4. singular words that end in "us" change to "i" when plural
What are the four components that comprise a medical term?
word root, prefix, suffix, combining vowels
List five of the most common combining forms found in EMS
Cardi/o, gastr/o, hepat/o, arthr/o, oste/o, pulmon/o
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