Question 1

Which of the following best explains why correct spelling and pronunciation of medical terms are critical in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Because incorrect spelling and pronunciation can lead to life-threatening errors.

Question 2

Which of the following is the correct plural form of the medical term 'appendix'?

Accepted Answer

Appendices

Question 3

A patient’s chart notes 'SOB' and 'HTN.' What do these abbreviations mean?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath and hypertension

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of an eponym in medical terminology?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson’s disease

Question 5

Given the medical term 'tonsillectomy,' identify the word root and the suffix, and explain their meanings.

Accepted Answer

Word root: tonsil (throat tissue); Suffix: -ectomy (complete removal of)

Question 6

Which rule correctly pluralizes the term 'vasectomy'?

Accepted Answer

Remove the y and add -ies because y is preceded by a consonant.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the combining form in medical terminology?

Accepted Answer

A word root plus a combining vowel

Question 8

A physician writes 'npo' in a patient’s chart. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Nothing by mouth

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct plural form for the term 'embolus'?

Accepted Answer

Emboli

Question 10

Which abbreviation would you expect to see in a prescription instructing a patient to take medication three times a day?

Accepted Answer

tid

Question 11

A medical student is asked to deconstruct the term 'gynecology.' Which is the correct breakdown?

Accepted Answer

Gynec/o (women) + -logy (study of)

Question 12

Which of the following is the correct plural form of 'psychosis'?

Accepted Answer

Psychoses

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the process for forming medical terms?

Accepted Answer

Combining word parts such as prefixes, word roots, combining forms, and suffixes

Question 14

A nurse is instructed to give a medication 'po.' What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

By mouth

Question 15

Which of the following is the correct plural form of 'bursa'?

Accepted Answer

Bursae

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of Hippocrates in the history of medical terminology?

Accepted Answer

He is known as the 'Father of Medicine' and helped standardize medical language.

Question 17

Which of the following is the correct plural form of 'reflex'?

Accepted Answer

Reflexes

Question 18

A physician writes 'PRN' on a medication order. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

As needed

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct process for pluralizing a Latin word ending in -us, such as 'Staphylococcus'?

Accepted Answer

Remove -us and add -i

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between a word root and a combining form?

Accepted Answer

A word root is the base of the term; a combining form is the word root plus a vowel.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology – Word Roots, Combining Forms, and Pluralization

Study Guide - Practice Questions