U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
CENTER AND SCHOOL
CORRESPONDENCE PHASE
9lB BNCOC TECHNICAL TRAINING
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Basic Medical Terminology and Abbreviations
1.
REFERENCES:
Appendix B, AR 40-66, Medical Record
Administration.
Lillis, Carol A., Brady’s Introduction to Medical
Terminology. Norwalk, Conn:
Appleton and Lange.
1990.
Subcourse MED 010, Basic Medical Terminology. U.S. Army
Academy of Health Science, August 1989.
Thomas, Clayton L., M.D., M.P.H., ed. Taber’s
Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 13th ed.
Philadelphia:
F.A. Davis Company, 1977.
II.
OBJECTIVES
A.
Terminal Learning Objective.
Given a document with medical terms and abbreviations, correctly
interpret the contents of the document.
B.
Enabling Learning Objectives.
1.
Given a list of components of medical terms and a list of
definitions and/or descriptions, match each component with
its definition or description IAW cited references.
2.
Given a list, select the steps in analyzing and defining
medical terms IAW cited references.
3.
Given a list of common medical root words, prefixes, and
suffices, and a list of definitions, match each root word,
prefix, or suffix with its definition IAW cited references.
4.
Given a medical term and a list of definitions, select the
definition for each term IAW cited references.
5.
Given a definition of a medical term, build the defined term
using the correct prefix, root word, and/or suffix.
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6.
III.
Given a document with medical abbreviations and a list of
definitions, match each abbreviations with its definition
IAW cited references.
EXPLANATION
Objective 1.
A.
Given a list of components of medical terms and a list of
definitions and/or descriptions, match each component with
its definition or description IAW cited references.
Components of Medical Terms.
1.
2.
3.
Root word.
a.
The main body or foundation of the medical term.
b.
Also called the “stem”.
c.
Usually identifies a body part, structure, or system.
d.
All terms have at least one root word.
Prefix.
a.
One or more letters or syllables placed before the root
word.
b.
Explains or adds meaning to the rest of the word.
c.
Terms may have one or more prefixes or none at all.
Suffix.
a.
Letters or syllables at the end of the root word.
b.
Adds meaning to the rest of the word.
c.
Terms may have one or more suffixes or none at all.
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4.
5.
Objective 2.
Combining vowel.
a.
A vowel which may be inserted between root words, or
between root word and prefix or
suffix.
b.
Separates components and makes pronunciation easier, but
does not change meaning.
Use of some terminology components may vary from one term to
another; one component may be used in one term as a prefix,
and as a root or suffix in another. Example: N% cyt” (cell)
is a root word in “cytology” (the study of cells), and a
prefix i “cytotoxin” (a toxin which attacks cells)
Given a list, select the steps in analyzing and defining
medical terms IAW cited references.
B.
Analyzing Medical Terms.
1.
Identify root word(s)
2.
Identify prefix(es), if any.
3.
Identify suffix(es), if any.
4.
Determine correct definition of each component.
5.
Put component definitions together in logical sequence to
define entire term.
Objective 3.
C.
NOTE:
Given a list of common medical root words, prefixes, and
suffixes, and a list of definitions, match each root word,
prefix, or suffix with its definition IAW cited references.
Definitions of Common Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.
See Annex A (Common Medical Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes)
Objective 4.
Given a list of medical terms and a list of definitions,
select the definition for each term IAW cited references.
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D.
Medical Terms and Definitions.
1.
NOTE:
Defining terms.,
See Annex B (Common Medical Terms)
a.
Gastroenteric
(1)
Root words and meanings - 'gastr"/stomach,
(2)
“enter”/intestines.
Suffix and meaning - "ic"/pertaining to.
(3)
b.
c.
d.
e.
Definition - pertaining to the stomach and
intestines.
Phlebitis.
(1)
Root word and meaning - “phleb”/vein.
(2)
Suffix and meaning - “itis’/inflammation.
(3)
Definition - inflammation of a vein.
Lipoma.
(1)
Root word and meaning - "lip"/ fat
(2)
Suffix and meaning - “oma”/tumor.
(3)
Definition - fatty tumor.
Osteoarthritis.
(1)
Root words and meanings - “osteo”/bone,
(2)
“arthr”/joint.
Suffix and meaning - ‘itis”/inflammation.
(3)
Definition - inflammation of the bone and joint.
Pericardial.
(1)
Root word and meaning - “cardi”/heart.
(2)
Prefix and meaning - “peri”/surrounding.
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(3)Suffix and meaning - “al”/pertaining to.
(4)Definition - surrounding the heart.
Objective 5.
NOTE:
Given a definition of a medical term, build the defined term
using the correct prefix, root word, and/or suffix.
See Annex A (Common Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes).
E.
Building Medical Terms.
1.
2.
Definition - pain in nerves.
a.
Root word/”neur” (nerve); suffix/”-algia” (pain).
b.
Term - neuralgia.
Definition - excision of the liver.
a.
b.
3.
Root word/”hepat” (liver) ; suffix/”-ectomy” (excision)
Term - hepatectomy.
Definition - inflammation of the bladder.
a.
Root word/”cyst” (bladder) ; suffix/”-itis”
(inflammation).
b.
Objective 6.
NOTE:
Term - cystitis.
Given a list of medical abbreviations and a list of
definitions, match each abbreviation with its definition IAW
cited references.
See Annex C (Common Medical Abbreviations)
P.
Medical Abbreviations.
1.
May be symbols or letters.
2.
Many originate as Latin or Greek words.
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3.
NOTE:
Authorized by AR 40-66, Medical Record
Administration, and by locally approved
facility listings.
medical
treatment
(1)
Take ii caps po tid for 10 days.
(2)
Take iii tabs po ac and hs.
(3)
Take 0.5 ml SQ pm for ss of allergic reaction.
(4)
Administer ii gtts ou qid
(5)
Take vs qid, I&O qd, may have BRP,
(6)
Pt. do pain R leg 50 mg Demeral administered IM c
good relief.
See Annex D (Practical Exercise) and complete.
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ANNEX A
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
COMMON MEDICAL
ROOT
WORDS.
Part
PREFIXES,
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AND
SUFFIXES
1
ROOT WORDS
ROOT WORD
aden
angi
arthr
bio
carcin
cerebr
cephal
cerv
chol
chondr
cost
crani
cyst
cyt
derm
electr
emesis
encephal. .
enter
erthr
esthesia
MEANING
gland
vessel
joint
life
cancer
brain
head
neck
bile
cartilage
rib
skull
bladder
cell
skin
electricity
vomit
brain
intestine
red
feeling,
sensation
febr
fever
gastr
stomach
gen
producing,
beginning
gluc/glyc. . .sugar
gynec
woman,
female
hema/hemo/
hemat
blood
hepat
liver
hyster
uterus
ROOT WORD
laryng
lip
lith
mening
myel
myo
nephr
neur
oculo/
ophthalm
onc
osteo
oto
phleb
pneo
breathing
pneum
proct
psych
pulm
pyel
rhin
radi
scler
scopy
tendo
thromb
toxin
uro/uria
vaso
veno
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MEANING
larynx
fat
stone
membrane
marrow, spine
muscle
kidney
nerve
eye
tumor, mass
bone
ear
vein
breath,
lung, air
rectum. anus
soul, mind
lung
pelvis
pus
nose
ray
hard
examination,
inspection
tendon
clot of blood
poison
urine
vessel
vein
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ANNEX A (cant)
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
Part
2
PREFIXES
PREFIX
ab
a-, an
before, in front of anti
bi
brady
contra
cyano
dys
ec-/ecto
endo
erythro
hemi
hyper
hypo
inter
intra
leuko
peri
post
pre-/pro
retro
semi
sub
super-/supra
tachy
trans
tri
MEANING
away from
absence of, without, not ante
against
two, both, double
slow
opposite, against
blue
difficult, painful
outside
within, inside
red
half
excessive, above, beyond
too little, low, below, deficient
between
inside
white
around, surrounding
after
before, in front of
backward, behind, back of
half
under, beneath, below
above, beyond, superior
fast
across, over
three
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ANNEX A (cont)
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
Part
SUFFIX
-ac, -al, -ar,
-algia
—cele
-centesis
-cis
-cyte
-ectasis
-ectomy
-emia
-genic
-gram
-iasis
-ist
-logy
-lysis
-megaly
-oma
-opsy
-osis
-otomy/-tomy
-pathy
-sclerosis
-scopy
-ic
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3
SUFFIXES
MEANING
pertaining to
pain
hernia, tumor, protrusion,
pertaining to
puncture
cut
cell
expansion, dilation
removal, excision
blood
producing, originating
record
condition, formation of,
presence of
one who specializes in
inflammation
process, study
breakdown, destruction
enlargement
tumor
to view
condition
cutting open, incision
disease
hardening
examination, inspection, looking
into
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ANNEX B
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
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COMMON MEDICAL TERMS
afebrile
without fever
arteriosclerosis
hardening of the arteries
bradycardia
slow heart action
bradypnea
slow breathing
bronchitis
inflammation of the bronchus
cardiovascular
pertaining to the heart and vessels
cyanosis
condition of blueness
cystitis
inflammation of the bladder
dyspnea
difficult breathing
endocarditis
inflammation within the heart
endotracheal
pertaining to the inside of the trachea
gastroenteritis
inflammation of the stomach and intestine
hematoma
tumor filled with blood
hematuria
blood in the urine
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
hyperglycemia
high blood sugar
hypertension
high blood pressure
hypoglycemia
low blood sugar
hypotension
low blood pressure
intercostal
between the ribs
intracerebral
pertaining to the inside of the brain
intracranial
pertaining to the inside of the skull
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laryngoscopy
ANNEX B (cont)
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
examination of the larynx with an
instrument
myocardial
pertaining to the heart muscle
pathology
study of disease
splenectomy
removal of the spleen
tachycardia
fast heart action
tachypnea
fast breathing
thyroidotomy
incision into the thyroid
thyroidectomy
removal of the thyroid
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ANNEX C
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
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COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
ABBREVIATION
A/E
ac
ad lib
adm
ASAP
bid
bm
BP
BRP
C
c
cap
CC
cc
c/o
C02
CPR
CXR
d/c
ECG, EKG
EBL
ER
F
fb
fx
gtt
H & P
HR
hs
H20
i
ii
iii
iv
v
I&0
MEANING
air evacuation
before meals
at will, as desired
admission, admitted
as soon as possible
twice a day
bowel movement
blood pressure
bathroom privileges
Centigrade, Celsius
with
capsule
chief complaint, current complaint
cubic centimeter
complaint of, complains of
carbon dioxide
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
chest X-ray
discontinue, discharge
electrocardiogram
estimated blood loss
emergency room
Fahrenheit
foreign body
fracture
drop (liquid measurement)
history and physical
heart rate
hour of sleep (bedtime)
water
1
2
3
4
5
intake and output
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IDDM
IV
IM
mg
ml
MVA
NPO
NTC
02
OD
OS
OU
post-op
pre-op
po
pt
pm
PC
qd
qh
qid
qod
Rx
sc or sq
s
sx
sls
stat
SOB
tab
TPR
tid
tx
vs
>
<
ANNEX C (cant)
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
intravenous
intramuscular
milligram
milliliter
motor vehicle accident
nothing by mouth
nitroglycerin
oxygen
right eye
left eye
both eyes, each eye
postoperative (after surgery)
preoperative (before surgery)
by mouth
patient
as needed
after meals
every day
every hour
four times a day
every other day
prescription, treatment
subcutaneous
without
symptoms
signs and symptoms
immediately
short of breath, shortness of breath
tablet
temperature, pulse, respirations
three times a day
treatment
vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure)
greater than (2>1)
less than (l<2)
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ANNEX D
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PRACTICAL EXERCISE
ROOT WORDS
1195
PREFIXES
Match the root word in Column A Match the prefix in Column A with its
definition in Column B with its definition in Coumn B
Column
A
Column B
Column A
Column B
____1. glyc
a. gland
____ 1. ab
a. above
____2. gastr
b. skin
____ 2. anti
b. before
____3. derm
c. sugar
____ 3. dys
c. slow
____4. aden
d. cell
____ 4. pre
d. away from
____5. cyt
e. stomach
____ 5. hyper
e. fast
____6. hyster
f. poison
____ 6. brady
f. against
____ 7. nephr
g. hard
____ 7. hemi
g. half
____ 8. toxin
h. uterus
____ 8. endo
h. opposite
____ 9. thromb
i. kidney
_____9. contra
i. painful
j. clot
____10. tachy
____10.Scler
j. within
Suffixes
Match the suffix in Column A with its definition in Column B.
Column A
Column B
Column A
Column B
____ 1. emia
_____ 6. pathy
a. enlargement
f. tumor
____ 2. megaly
_____ 7. itis
b. examination
g. condition
____ 3. osis
_____ 8. ectomy
c. inflammation
h. study
____ 4. scopy
_____ 9. logy
d. blood
i. disease
____ 5.Cyte
_____10. oma
e. removal of
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ANNEX D (con’t)
j. cell
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INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
Identify and define the root word, prefix, and suffix of each of the following terms
and define the term.
HYPERGLYCEMIA
definitions
______________
prefix
______________
prefix
________________
root word
________________
root word
_____________
suffix
_____________
suffix
definition of hyperglycemia_____________________________________________________
APNEA
definitions
_____________
prefix
_____________
prefix
________________
root word
________________
root word
_____________
suffix
definition of apnea ____________________________________________________________
MYOCARDITIS
definitions
______________
prefix
_______________
prefix
______________
root word
______________
root word
______________
suffix
______________
suffix
definition of myocarditis _______________________________________________________
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ANNEX D
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1195
Abbreviations
Match the abbreviation in Column A with its definition in Column B.
Column A
Column B
Column A
Column B
____ 1. ac
a. after meals
_____ 6. IM
f. before meals
____ 2. fx
b. complaint of
_____ 7. do
g. milliliter
____ 3. mg
c. subcutaneous
_____ 8. pm
h. intramuscular
____ 4. ml
d. fracture
_____ 9. hs
i. at bedtime
____ 5. sq
e. as needed
____ 10. Pc
j. milligram
Select the best answer for each of the following.
You are at sick call for a sore throat and the P.A. gives you a prescription for an
antibiotic which reads, “Take i tab PO qid”.
How should you take this medication?
1.
2.
3.
4.
one
one
one
two
tablet by mouth every four hours.
tablet by mouth four times a day.
tablet internally twice a day.
tablets three times a day.
The doctor’s orders for your patient are, “Take vs tid and get a cxr qod.” You will
do which of the following?
1.
2.
3.
4.
take
take
take
take
vital signs
very softly
vital signs
things very
every other day and get a chest x-ray now.
and get a chest x-ray four times a day.
three times a day and get a chest x-ray every other day.
slowly and get a chair for the patient four times a day.
16