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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Medical Terminology and Abbreviations

1. Word building in regards to medical terminology requires a large combination of three basic vocabulary components known as prefixes, root words with combining vowels, and suffixes. These three components are the starting point of your medical vocabulary knowledge; however, not all medical terms will always have all three components. It will help to remember this general rule: To analyze a medical term, start with the suffix (ending), back to the beginning (prefix or root word) and then across. For example:

dermatitis; inflammation (itis) of the skin (dermat)

2. The prefix is the beginning part of a medical term; however, not all medical terms will have prefixes. When you see a dash (-) behind a component term this means that it is a prefix! Some common prefixes are as follows:

a-, an- absence of

di, dia- across, apart, through, or complete knowledge of

endo- within, in, inner

pro- forward, in front of

pseudo- false

re- back, behind

sub- under, below

trans- across, through, over

3. The suffix is the ending part of a medical term. Most medical terms will have a suffix. When you see a dash (-) in front of a component term this means that it is a suffix! Some common suffixes are as follows:

-al pertaining to

-algia pain

-centesis surgical puncture

-dynia pain

-ectomy removal, excision

-gnosis pertaining to the patient’s condition

-gram recording

-ic pertaining to

-itis inflammation

-logy the study of

-oasis an abnormal condition

-scope process of visual examination

4. The root component in a medical term is the essential meaning of the term. The root word is the base to which the prefix and suffix will be attached, and form a meaningful word. The root word is usually the description of the body organ, area or part. All medical terms must have a root word component. Without the root word component the term would be meaningless. Combining vowels connect the root words to suffixes and root words to other root words. The combing vowel is usually an “O”, and is used between two root words or between a root word and a suffix to make it pronounceable. A combining vowel is not used between a prefix and a root word. Some common root words and combing vowel forms are as follows:

arthr / o joint

bi / o life

cardi / o heart

cerebr / o cerebrum, the largest part of the brain

dermat / o skin

enter / o intestines (often the small intestines)

gastr / o stomach

hemat / o blood

hepat / o liver

neur / o nerve

oste / o bone

path / o disease

ren / o kidney

rhin / o nose

urethr / o urethra

5. Common Medical Abbreviations:

• AMA – against medical advice

• APGAR – new-born condition scale (appearance-pulse-grimace-activity-respiration)

• bpm – beats per minute

• CBC – complete blood count

• CCU – coronary care unit

• COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• cc – cubic centimeter (analogous with ml – millimeter)

• cs – chem-stick (blood sugar)

• Dx – diagnosis

• D5W – dextrose 5% in water

• GCS – Glasgow comma scale

• MI – myocardial infarction

• PEARL – pupils equal and reactive to light

• qh – every hour

• qd – every day

• prn – as needed

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