Chapter
3
Understanding Prefixes
Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
• Define and spell the prefixes commonly used in medical terminology.
• Identify prefixes in medical terms.
• Use prefixes to build medical terms.
30 Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes
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Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 1
Spelling Challenge
These terms are spelled incorrectly. Spell each term correctly in the space provided.
1.Premapara____________________________
2.Diplegea____________________________
3.Pollydipsia____________________________
4.Ambydeckstrus____________________________
5.Nulegravida____________________________
6.Monopleegia____________________________
7.Quadripleasia____________________________
8.Prenatul____________________________
9.Antennatal____________________________
10. Subcutaneus____________________________
11. Endogastrix
____________________________
12. Intervenous____________________________
13. Parracusis____________________________
14. Tricupid____________________________
15. Dialycis____________________________
True/False
Mark each statement as true (T) or false (F).
_______1.The prefix hyper- means “excessive” or “beyond.”
_______2.The prefix anti- means “against” or “opposite.”
_______3.The prefix di- means “triple.”
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_______4.The prefix primi- means “first.”
_______5.The prefix uni- means “one.”
_______6.The prefix hemi- means “two.”
_______7.The prefix ambi- means “self.”
_______8.The prefix circum- means “through.”
_______9.The prefix infer- means “below.”
_______10. The prefix ab- means “away from.”
Fill in the Blank
Fill in the blank with the correct medical term from this chapter.
11. The term nulligravida means ____________________________ pregnancies.
12. The prefix ultra- means ____________________________.
13. Because the prefix inter- means “between,” the term ____________________________
indicates a position between the vertebrae.
14. The prefixes ec- and ecto- mean ____________________________.
15. The prefix ad- means “toward, near,” or “increase,” so the term adduction means
____________________________ the midline of the body.
16. Paralysis of corresponding parts on both sides of the body, such as both arms or both legs, is
called ____________________________.
17. The prefixes ex- and exo- share the meaning “away from,” as in the term exotropia, which is
when the eye deviates ____________________________ its normal position.
18. The prefixes super- and supra- share the meaning ____________________________.
19. The prefix pan- means ____________________________.
20. The prefix eso- means ____________________________.
32 Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes
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Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Short Answer
Write the definition for each of the following terms.
21. Dialysis_____________________________________________________________
22. Hypothermia_____________________________________________________________
23. Adduction_____________________________________________________________
24. Tachycardia_____________________________________________________________
25. Bradycardia_____________________________________________________________
Word Search
Fill in the blank with the correct medical term from this chapter, then find those terms in the word
search puzzle that follows.
1.A(n) ____________________________ is the word part that is placed before the root to
modify its meaning.
2.The prefix semi- means ____________________________.
3.The prefixes ex- and exo- mean outward or ____________________________.
4.The prefixes sym- and syn- mean ____________________________.
5.The prefix ab- means ____________________________ from.
6.Infer- has the meaning ____________________________.
7.The prefixes super- and supra- share the meaning ____________________________.
8.Hypothermia is a state of abnormally ____________________________ body temperature.
9.The prefix mal- means “bad,” so the term malabsorption literally means “bad
____________________________.”
10. The prefix post- means ____________________________.
11. The term dialysis literally means “to loosen apart” because the prefix dia- means
____________________________.
12. Ec- and ecto- mean ____________________________.
13. Bradykinesia combines brady- with the root kines to mean “____________________________
or decreasing movement.”
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Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes 33
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
14. The prefix eu- means ____________________________.
15. The term intervertebral indicates a position ____________________________ the vertebrae.
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34 Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 2
Medical Report Analysis
Consider the following excerpt from a clinician’s notes following completion of a history and
physical examination. For the highlighted terms or word parts, provide the meaning.
Mr. A complains of a new onset of polyuria (A) ____________________________ that he is
concerned might be secondary to his history of hypertension (B) ____________________________.
Consider also deficiency of antidiuretic (C) ____________________________ hormone, or ­adrenal
dysfunction (D) ____________________________. Evaluate for dehydration, hyponatremia
(E) ____________________________, and other electrolyte abnormalities.
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Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 3
Which Term Does Not Belong?
Circle the term that is not related to the other terms. Then explain why the term does not belong
with the others.
1.Prefixes indicating a number or quantity
a.
contrab.
monoc.
nullid.
oligoe.
poly
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
2.Prefixes indicating a location
a.
antib.
endoc.
interd.
parae.
supra
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
3.Prefixes indicating a location
a.
adb.
epic.
pand.
perie.
post
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
4.Prefixes indicating a specific quality
a.
dysb.
hyperc.
mald.
monoe.
tachy
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
36 Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes
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Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
5.Prefixes indicating a specific quality
a.
adb.
euc.
heterd.
neoe.
pseudo
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
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Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes 37
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 4
Crossword Puzzle
Directions: Fill in the crossword puzzle with the words missing from the sentences below. Match
the number of the sentence to the boxes placed across or down the grid. If filled out correctly, the
words will fit neatly into the puzzle.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
ACROSS
2 A(n) ___________ is the word part that
is placed before the root to modify its
meaning.
6 The prefix ad- means ___________.
9 The prefixes sub- and
hypo- mean ___________.
10 The prefix anti- means against
or ___________ of.
38 Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes
DOWN
1 The prefix circum- means ___________.
3 The prefix pseudo- means___________.
4 Prenatal and antenatal share the
root nat,which means ___________.
5 Meta- means after or ___________.
7 The prefix nulli- means ___________.
8 The term bicuspid means having
___________ points.
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 1 Answers
Spelling Challenge
1.Primipara
2.Diplegia
3.Polydipsia
4.Ambidextrous
5.Nulligravida
6.Monoplegia
7.Quadriplegia
8.Prenatal
9.Antenatal
10. Subcutaneous
11. Endogastric
12. Intravenous
13. Paracusis
14. Tricuspid
15. Dialysis
True/False
1.T
2.T
3.F
4.T
5.T
6.F
7.F
8.F
9.T
10. T
Fill in the Blank
11. no or none
12. beyond normal
13. intervertebral
14. outside
15. toward
16. diplegia
17. away from
18. above
19. all
20. inward
Short Answer
21. The procedure that removes uric acid and
urea from circulating blood
22. A state of abnormally low body
temperature
23. Toward the midline of the body
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
24. An abnormally rapid heart rate that is
usually defined as more than 100 beats
per minute
25. Abnormally slow heart rate
Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes 39
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Word Search
1.prefix
2.half
3.exterior
4.together
5.away from
6.below
7.above
8.low
9.absorption
10. after
11. apart
12. outside
13. slowing
14. good
15. between
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40 Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 2 Answers
Medical Report Analysis
A.Excessive, over, many
B.Excessive, abnormally high, above
C.Against, opposite of
D.Bad, abnormal, painful, difficult
E.Deficient, abnormally low, below
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Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes 41
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 3 Answers
Which Term Does Not Belong?
1.A The prefix contra- means against. The remaining prefixes relate to numbers or
quantity.
2.A The prefix anti- means against. The remaining prefixes relate to location.
3.C The prefix pan- means all. The remaining prefixes relate to location.
4.D The prefix mono- indicates one, whereas the remaining prefixes identify a quality.
5.A The prefix ad- means toward, and the remaining prefixes identify a specific quality.
42 Chapter 3/ Understanding Prefixes
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 3
Understanding Prefixes
Worksheet 4 Answers
Crossword Puzzle
Solution:
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© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
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