Deck 16: Medical Terminology Practice Questions

Question 1

Understanding suffixes is a big clue to the meaning of most medical terms.For example,hepat is a root meaning "the liver." What does hepatoma mean?

A)infection of the liver
B)overactivity of the liver
C)study of the liver
D)tumor of the liver

Answer 1

tumor of the liver

Question 2

Darius has just started his new job as a medical assistant.He is interviewing a patient about her breathing problems.The patient states that she cannot breathe lying down,and she must prop up on three pillows to breathe.Darius remembers that there is a medical term for this,but he is not sure how to spell it.What is the correct spelling?

A)orthopnea
B)ortypnea
C)orthopenia
D)orthopxia

Answer 2

orthopnea

Question 3

A disease that lasts a long time is called what type of disease?

A)acute
B)traumatic
C)chronic
D)infectious

Answer 3

chronic

Question 4

You have learned that most medical terms are put together from word parts.For example,the suffix -scope means "instrument for viewing";the combining form arthr/o means "joint." How would you use this combining form and this suffix correctly to form a medical term meaning "instrument for viewing a joint"?

A)scopearthro
B)arthroscope
C)arthroscopy
D)arthrscope

Question 5

A prefix can be used with a root word to indicate that something happened before,during,or after something else.Natal means "pertaining to birth." What is the correct term for the medical care that a mother and her unborn baby receive before birth?

A)paranatal care
B)postnatal care
C)NICU care
D)prenatal care

Question 6

The job of the red blood cells is to deliver oxygen to the tissues of the body.The red blood cells can fail in their task due to a variety of problems,such as: not enough red cells,not enough hemoglobin inside the red cells,or the hemoglobin inside the red cells is defective.The term that is used for all these conditions is:

A)atrophy
B)anemia
C)neutropenia
D)iron deficiency

Question 7

Mr.L has been having chest pains.The doctor does some tests and discovers that Mr.L has coronary artery disease.One of his coronary arteries has a blockage.The doctor believes that this blood vessel can be reopened with a procedure.What is the name of the procedure to reopen a blocked blood vessel?

A)angina pectoris
B)aortography
C)balloon angioplasty
D)cardiac pacemaker

Question 8

What is a fracture reduction?

A)a mathematical calculation such as 6/8 = 3/4
B)the removal of bone to make a fracture smaller
C)down-coding a "fracture" to a "sprain" if an error was made
D)aligning broken bones to their normal position

Question 9

The disease asthma involves the small airways.One problem in asthma is that the small airways undergo bronchospasm.Asthma rescue inhalers work because they can reverse bronchospasm and help open the small airways.The medical term for opening the small airways is:

A)bronchiatelectasis
B)bronchoscopy
C)bronchodilation
D)bronchoconstriction

Question 10

Many people have heard the word hyper applied to overactive children.In correct medical terminology,what word part is this,and what does it mean?

A)Hyper is a prefix.It means "abnormally high."
B)Hyper is an acronym.It means "ADHD."
C)Hyper is a prefix.It means "abnormally low."
D)Hyper is a word root.It means "blood pressure."

Question 11

Build a medical term that means "high blood pressure."

A)prefix hyper- + root tens + suffix -ion = hypertension
B)prefix tachy- + root card + suffix -ia = tachycardia
C)prefix hypo- + root tens + suffix -ion = hypotension
D)prefix hyper- + root rhythm + suffix -ia = hyperrhythmia

Question 12

If the respiratory system is not working properly,oxygen levels in the body may drop too low,and carbon dioxide levels in the body may rise too high.What are the correct medical terms for low oxygen in the body and high carbon dioxide in the body?

A)oxygenemia and carbon monoxide poisoning
B)hypoxia and hypercapnia
C)dyspnea and bronchocarbia
D)hyperoxemia and hypocapnia

Question 13

There are two major types of arthritis.What is the correct spelling of the type that is caused by an autoimmune disease?

A)osteoarthritis
B)rheumytoid arthritis
C)rheumatoid arthritis
D)rhumachondritic arthritis

Question 14

Many skin problems look alike,so there is a general term that can be used for many types of skin problems.Build a term that means "skin inflammation."

A)Combining form dermat/o + suffix -ologist = dermatologist
B)Root derm + suffix -is = dermis
C)Root dermat + suffix -itis = dermatitis
D)Root pedicul + suffix -osis = pediculosis

Question 15

Audra is a medical assistant.Her first patient of the day is scheduled for a thyroidectomy.Audra prepares the patient and then calls an escort to take the patient to the correct department.Where does the patient need to go? Hint: The suffix gives you the answer.

A)radiology department for an X-ray
B)nuclear medicine for an imaging test
C)the operating room for a surgical procedure
D)the lab to have some measurements done

Question 16

A patient sat down on a log in the woods and received a snake bite to the buttocks.The location of the wound can be described as:

A)anterior
B)posterior
C)lateral
D)thoracic

Question 17

Which of the following body parts has a lateral position?

A)the nose
B)the heart
C)the bladder
D)the ear

Question 18

The suffix -pnea means "breath." It is often combined with a prefix to describe something about the patient's breathing.Which prefix would be used to form the medical term that means "fast breathing"? ________pnea

A)hypo-
B)ortho-
C)tachy-
D)wheezy-

Question 19

A patient has a nevus that looks suspicious for malignancy.The dermatologist performs a biopsy.What is the abbreviation for biopsy?

A)Bx
B)By
C)Bp
D)Bio

Question 20

What is sputum?

A)a lung infection such as tuberculosis
B)something coughed up from the lungs
C)an important component of a flu vaccine
D)a treatment administered by a sputomizer

Question 21

A couple consults an infertility clinic because they are having difficulty getting pregnant.The husband is diagnosed with oligospermia.What does this mean?

A)He has an STI (STD).
B)He has abnormally shaped sperm.
C)He has no sperm.
D)He has too few sperm.

Question 22

In treating reproductive system disorders,sometimes a body part must be removed.Build a medical term that means removal of a breast.

A)root mast + suffix -ectomy = mastectomy
B)combining form mamm/o + suffix -plasty = mammoplasty
C)root lump + suffix -ectomy = lumpectomy
D)root hyster + suffix -ectomy = hysterectomy

Question 23

Jannetta is a medical transcriptionist.She is typing up a dictated report on a patient who was admitted to the Internal Medicine Service with a liver problem.The diagnosis sounds like "ser ROH siss." What is the correct spelling for this diagnosis?

A)serosis
B)cerrhotitis
C)cirrhosis
D)cirohssis

Question 24

Dr.Martin is writing a chart note on her patient,Ms.Patrick,who is not doing well.Ms.Patrick has smoked for 30 years and has a chronic cough,a barrel-shaped chest,dyspnea,and hypoxemia.What is the correct spelling for the diagnosis that Dr.Martin will write?

A)empyema
B)emphysemia
C)emphisema
D)emphysema

Question 25

Most people have heard of an OB-GYN doctor,and most people know that this is a doctor who specializes in women's health.But what does this abbreviation mean exactly? Choose the answer that has both words spelled correctly and both definitions correct.

A)Obsteriatrics is pregnancy and childbirth;gynecollege is the study of women's diseases.
B)An obstetrician is a doctor for pregnancy and childbirth;a gynecologist is a doctor for women's diseases.
C)An obstetritian is a doctor for women's diseases;a ginnycologist is a female doctor or midwife who delivers babies.
D)Obstreporics is pregnancy and childbirth;gynhyscopy is women's diseases.

Question 26

What is GERD?

A)giardiasis,a parasitic infection
B)gastroenteral hernia,which is between a hiatal hernia and an umbilical hernia
C)cancer of the gerdiodhhial polyps in the colon
D)gastroesophageal reflux disease

Question 27

What is the difference between the urethra and the ureter?

A)They are the same thing,but people spell the word differently.
B)Females have a urethra,and males have a ureter.
C)The ureters connect the kidneys to the bladder;the urethra drains the bladder to the outside.
D)The urethra never has any medical or surgical problems,but the ureters often cause trouble.

Question 28

Rosalia is trying to code out a surgery note,but the handwriting is very poor,and the terms look very much the same.Which statement makes sense? (Hint: Understanding the suffixes will help you answer this question.Assume that Mrs.H had a surgery procedure performed. )

A)Mrs.H was admitted with cholecystitis.A cholelithiasis was performed.
B)Mrs.H was admitted with cholecystitis.A colitis was performed.
C)Mrs.H was admitted with colitis.A cholecystitis was performed.
D)Mrs.H was admitted with cholecystitis.A cholecystectomy was performed.

Question 29

The organs of the digestive system frequently become inflamed.Build a medical term that means "inflammation of the stomach and intestines."

A)root gastr + suffix -itis = gastritis
B)combining form gastr/o + root enter + suffix -itis = gastroenteritis
C)combining form gastr/o + root esophag + suffix -itis = gastroesophagitis
D)combining form gastr/o + root enter + suffix -al = gastroenteral

Question 30

Using medical terminology rules,what is the most exact term for a surgical incision into the chest wall?

A)open heart surgery
B)tracheostomy
C)pneumonectomy
D)thoracotomy

Question 31

The suffix -uria means "pertaining to urine or urination." The condition of a person's urine gives information about the health of the urinary system and often about the health of the entire body.What prefix can be combined with -uria to mean "painful urination"?

A)an-
B)dys-
C)poly-
D)-itis

Question 32

Women frequently have difficulties involving menstruation.The following medical terms are all real terms,and they are correctly spelled,but they have different meanings.Which one means "painful menstruation"?

A)dysmenorrhea
B)amenorrhea
C)menorrhagia
D)oligomenorrhea

Question 33

What is the most common bacterial STI in North America?

A)syphilis
B)HIV
C)cryptorchidism
D)chlamydia

Question 34

Mrs.L seems embarrassed to explain why she came to the clinic today.Finally,she says,"Nurse,I just can't hold my water.For no reason at all,or especially if I cough,sometimes I just pee on myself." What medical term will the nurse write as Mrs.L's symptom?

A)incontinence
B)incompetence
C)cystitis
D)nocturia

Question 35

A patient had her appendix removed.What is the correct name and spelling of this procedure?

A)appendectomy
B)appendicitis
C)appendolithix
D)appendiculocentesis

Question 36

The medical term for the large intestine is the colon.The large intestine gets many things wrong with it,but one of the most serious is colon cancer.A procedure of viewing the colon with an endoscope can be done to see if a person has colon cancer.What is the name of this procedure?

A)colitis
B)colectomy
C)colonoscopy
D)colostomy

Question 37

What is the medical term for a fibroid?

A)uterine cancer
B)endometriosis
C)leiomyoma
D)carcinoma in situ

Question 38

Adrian has just graduated as a surgery assistant.He is preparing a patient who will have a kidney removed.Let's make sure Adrian spells the name of the procedure correctly! Which spelling is correct?

A)nephrectomy
B)neferrectomy
C)nepherectomy
D)nepherostomy

Question 39

Men have a gland surrounding the urethra,and this gland often develops problems in later life.Some abbreviations that relate to this gland are BPH,PSA,and TURP.The name of this gland appears frequently in medical charts,and it is frequently misspelled.What is the correct spelling?

A)posterior gland
B)prostrate gland
C)prostate gland
D)postrate gland

Question 40

Arlena's father,Mr.M,is in the hospital,and the doctor tells Arlena that her father's kidneys have failed.Her father will have to go on hemodialysis.What does this mean?

A)Mr.M's blood is dissolving.He will need a blood transfusion.
B)Mr.M will need a strong medication to produce diuresis,or excess urination.
C)Mr.M's kidneys are no longer removing waste products from his blood.His blood will have to be pushed through a machine with artificial membranes to filter out the waste products.
D)Mr.M has a blockage,and he will need a urinary catheterization.

Question 41

Ms.G has chosen a military career.A few months ago,she served as part of a supply line for a combat zone.Her unit came under enemy fire on two occasions.The second time,one of her close friends was killed and two were injured.Ms.G is having difficulty sleeping,and at times she feels anxious and afraid.She has always been a strong,courageous person,and she is very troubled by these feelings.She wonders if she is going crazy.What is the most likely diagnosis?

A)PSY,psychosis
B)PTSD,posttraumatic stress disorder
C)BPD,bipolar disorder
D)PD,Parkinson disease

Question 42

Ms.T comes to clinic because she is experiencing numbness and tingling in her right leg.She denies having any pain.What does the nurse write down as Ms.T's symptom?

A)Ms.T is complaining of paralysis.
B)Ms.T is complaining of narcolepsy.
C)Ms.T is complaining of paresthesia.
D)Ms.T is complaining of neuralgia.

Question 43

The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by special membranes.If these membranes become inflamed or infected,this is a serious condition.Build the medical term for this condition:

A)root mening + suffix -itis = meningitis
B)root cerebr + suffix -itis = cerebritis
C)combining form mening/i + suffix -oma = meningioma
D)prefix poly- + root neur + suffix -itis = polyneuritis

Question 44

Montez is 4 years old.He wakes up crying in the night because his ear hurts.His mother takes him to a clinic and is told that Montez has a middle ear infection.What is the medical term for this diagnosis?

A)hordeolum
B)conjunctivitis
C)otitis media
D)otitis externa

Question 45

Suzette has just moved to a new city,and during the move she lost her contact lenses.She managed to get her Internet hooked up,and she is now searching for a place to get some new contact lenses and maybe some glasses,too.Suzette does not have any type of eye disease.What type of professional should Suzette search for?

A)an optometrist
B)an otologist
C)an ophthalmologist
D)an orthopedist

Question 46

If a patient has glaucoma,what is wrong with them?

A)They are in a coma caused by an abnormal glucose level.
B)They have a disease of the retina caused by diabetes.
C)They have high blood pressure.
D)They have increased fluid pressure inside the eyeball,which can cause vision loss.

Question 47

Sometimes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)must be obtained for testing.The procedure to do this is commonly known as a spinal tap,but what is the correct medical term and abbreviation?

A)magnetic resonance imaging,MRI
B)positron emission tomography,PET
C)lumbar puncture,LP
D)craniotomy,CT

Question 48

What does PID stand for?

A)polycystic infectious disease
B)pelvic inflammatory disease
C)personal intrauterine device
D)premenstrual irritability disorder

Question 49

LaWanda is a pharmacy tech.Mrs.J comes in with two prescriptions: one for ophthalmic drops and one for otic drops.The doctor's scribbled instructions read only,"Use both twice a day." Where is Mrs.J supposed to put the drops?

A)Both drops are for the eyes.
B)The ophthalmic drops are for the eyes,and the otic drops are for the ears.
C)The ophthalmic drops are for the eyes,and the otic drops are for the nose.
D)The ophthalmic drops are for the eyelids,and the otic drops are for inside the eye.

Question 50

Any endocrine gland can cause disease by becoming either overactive or underactive.If an endocrine gland is overactive and is secreting too much hormone,which prefix would be used to build the name of the condition? prefix ________ + root [name of gland] + suffix -ism

A)hyper-
B)hypo-
C)endo-
D)-emia

Question 51

What does the suffix -itis mean?

A)too little
B)too much
C)pain
D)inflammation

Question 52

Suzette is nearsighted.(She can see "near," but needs glasses to see "far.")What is the correct spelling of the medical term for nearsighted?

A)mytopia
B)hyperopia
C)miopia
D)myopia

Question 53

What is the medical definition of dementia,and what is one example of dementia?

A)Dementia is a violent condition where an individual poses a criminal threat to him- or herself and others.An example is pyromania.
B)Dementia is an impairment of mental function characterized by memory loss,confusion,and disorientation.An example is Alzheimer disease.
C)Dementia is an irrational,obsessive fear.An example is agoraphobia.
D)Dementia is a loss of consciousness.An example is coma.

Question 54

Build the medical term for low blood sugar.

A)combining form glycos/o + suffix -uria
B)prefix hyper- + root glyc + suffix -emia
C)prefix hypo- + root calc + suffix -emia
D)prefix hypo- + root glyc + suffix -emia

Question 55

What is the correct abbreviation for a stroke,and what do the letters stand for?

A)CVA;cardiovascular accident
B)MI;mental infarction
C)CVA;cerebrovascular accident
D)MIA;mental ischemic attack

Question 56

Diabetes mellitus results if there is not enough insulin in the body,or if the cells are resistant to insulin.Which endocrine gland produces insulin?

A)the thyroid
B)the adrenal
C)the pancreas
D)the glucogoiter

Question 57

Mr.B was in a terrible car accident.He was not wearing a seat belt,and he suffered a broken neck and a spinal cord injury.He ended up paralyzed from the neck down.Build the medical term for his condition.

A)prefix mono- + suffix -plegia = monoplegia
B)combining form encephal/o + suffix -pathy = encephalopathy
C)prefix poly- + root embol + suffix -ism = polyembolism
D)prefix quadri- + suffix -plegia = quadriplegia

Question 58

If a patient had a GTT,what did they have?

A)a test for diabetes mellitus called a glucose tolerance test
B)a surgical procedure called a great thoracic thingotomy
C)an endocrine test called a goiter thyroid test
D)a test for growth hormone called a grow thrombin time

Question 59

Janine has not seen her Aunt Esther for several years.When they meet at a family reunion,Janine notices that Aunt Esther is very thin and has bulging,protruding eyes.Janine asks Aunt Esther if she has seen a doctor recently."I surely did," replies Aunt Esther."He told me some long word about why I'm looking 'bug-eyed.' My heart's beating real fast,too,and it's all got to do with my thyroid gland." Janine thinks for a minute about her Medical Terminology class,and she figures out what the doctor said.What is the name of the eye condition,and what is the name of the endocrine gland condition?

A)insectopia;diabetes
B)exophthalmos;hyperthyroidism
C)hyperopia;Cushing syndrome
D)bradycardia;hypothyroidism

Question 60

What is the correct medical term for a nerve cell?

A)myelin
B)neuron
C)neuropathy
D)spinal cord