Medical Terminology

Medical TerminologyWhere did medical terminology come from?Most come from Greek or LatinAs medicine advanced, more modern terms have come from German, French and EnglishGenerally medical terms for determining illness or describing surgery have Greek origins.Terms for parts of the body generally have Latin roots.Sample Medical RecordMrs Gravelle is an 80 year old female with deteriorating general health. She suffers with the following chronic conditions: blepharitis, which occludes her vision at time; angiocele of coronary vessels causing a tachycardia between 120-130. frequent episodes of epistaxis. Current complaints include SOB and congestion of the sinus and chest area. Bilateral rales are present, nares are inflamed with profuse rhinorrhea. Rx is BR, antibiotics QiD, 240 cc of cl liq Q1hr. Decongestant Q4h and PRN.s3Pronounciation of medical termsch is sometimes pronounced like a k Examples: chemoreceptor, chronicps is pronounced like s Examples: psychiatry, psychologypn is pronounced with only the n sound Examples: pneumonia, pneumogastricc and g are given the soft sound of s and j respectively Examples: cell, cilia, genetics, Giardiaae and oe are pronounced ee Examples: fasciae, coelomi at the end of a word is pronounced eye (to form a plural) Examples: alveoli, glomerulies when forming the final letters of a word, is often pronounced as a separate syllable Example: nares (nahreez)

Medical Word PartsPrefix:Beginning part of a word preceding the word root.Example: peri-

Root:Central part and determines the meaning of a word.Example: cardi-

Suffix:Last part of the word that changes its meaning.Example: -itis

CombiningA root with an added vowel for easier pronunciation.FormExample: rhin/o

Common AbbreviationsCath.NPOam, AMB/PbidfxhsIVlabSpec.HyperROMCPRpow/cPcqhsqid, QIDqPt, ptamt.Q2hI & Odcqod, QODpostCAAbbreviations (continued)sscOPDpm, PMpostopbm, BMBR, brO2CBCaxstatsc/owtdxhtccambliq.BRPH2OOOB, oobnoct, noc.ExamplesPlease write the following situation out in whole words/no abbreviations:

58 y/o male c/o SOB and fever. Upon arrival to ED his VS are as follows: T 102.3 P 115 R 30 BP 102/60 and and O2 at 85%. Pt. w/hx of COPD, URI, Lung CA, CHF and DM. Orders are as follows: stat CXR, stat CBC, adm O2 at 2l/min and start IV of D5NS @ 125ml/h. Admit to med unit, DM diet, VS Q4h, BR w/BRPExamplesWrite the following sentences in abbreviated format:

20 milliequivalent of potassium chloride by mouth four times a day before meals.Temperature, pulse and respirations every 6hoursEight ounces of magnesium citrate every four hours until BMComplete bedrest until blood pressure less than 145 three times Admit to Coronary Care Unit, electrocardiogram immedately, blood work to be done: complete blood count, blood/urea/nitrogen; vital signs every four hoursPrefixesSyllable or word placed at the beginning tells the how, why, where, when, how much, how many, direction, time.Examples:Pre means beforeTachy means fast

Prefixes ContinuedBrady means slowHemi means half

These are just a few examples. These prefixes combined with root words and suffixes make up terms that describe human anatomy, organ systems, clinical and diagnostic imaging, lab testing, together with clinical procedures, surgeries and diagnoses.Word RootsDefinition: Main words or parts to which prefixes and suffixes can be added.

By learning basic prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, you will frequently be able to interpret the meaning of a word even when you have never before seen the word

In the example appendicitis, the word root is appendix. By adding the prefix pseudo, which means false, and the suffix itis, which means inflammation, the word becomes pseudoappendicitis. This is interpreted as a false inflammation of the appendix.Word Roots ContinuedWhen prefixes, suffixes, and/or word roots are joined together, vowels are frequently added. Common examples include a, e, i, ia, io, o and u. The vowels are not used if the word root or suffix begins with a vowel.

Example: encephal (o) means brain. When it is combined with itis, meaning inflammation of, the vowel is not used for encephalitis. When it is combined with gram, meaning tracing or record, the vowel o is added for encephalogram.Word Roots Continued Example: hepat (o) means liver. When it is combined with itis, the vowel is not used for hepatitis. When it is combined with megaly, meaning enlarged, the vowel o is added for hepatomegaly.

Other examples:

Peri + Cardi/o + Ectomy = Pericardiectomy which is the surgical removal of a portion of the membrane surrounding the heart.Word Roots ContinuedCrani + otomy = craniotomy crani means pertaining to the skull, otomy means cutting into. Craniotomy is surgical opening into the skull

Leuko + cyte = leukocyte leuko means whit, cyte means cell. Leukocyte is a white cell

Para + plegia = paraplegia para means lower half of body, plegia means paralysis. Paraplegia is paralysis of the legs and lower body.15SuffixesDefined as a syllable or word placed at the end of a word. The ending part of a word that modifies the meaning of the word.

Examples: ology-study of, science of; Biologylysis-destruction, dissolving of; Autolysis osis-condition, state, process; Osteoporosis

Pulling it All TogetherIt is impossible to memorize all of the words of a medical dictionary that are used in health occupations. By breaking these words into parts, however, it is sometimes possible to figure out their meanings. In order to communicate effectively, health care workers must be familiar with common abbreviations and terminology.Bringing Root Words and Suffixes TogetherExamples:neuralgiacardiomalaciahysterectomyhepatomegalymammogrambiologistanemiacarcinomacarditisrhinorrheathrombolysisnecrosiscolostomycardiomyopathy

Bringing Root Words and Suffixes togetherExamples continued:osteopeniamyospasmthrombolysisBellWork for Monday 1/27When you see the statement What word elements are used to form common health care terms and abbreviations? What do you think the term elements means? How would you explain it in terms of medical use?Bell Ringer for ThursdayA patient has just had a thoracotomy. Where would you find a surgical wound on this patient?BackLower legNeckChestBell Ringer for ThursdayWhich of the following would be a normal complaint of a marathon runner?NephrosisMyalgiaHematuriaHydrocephalusBell Ringer for FridayWhat is the most likely reason to perform a mastectomy?Breast CancerFractureHepatitisLigament StrainBell Ringer for Tuesday-Root WordIf a patient has had a cerebrovascular accident, what part of their body has been affected?Bell Ringer for Friday-PrefixesWhat do you think a patient with hypoglycemia is suffering from?Bell Ringer for Tuesday-Root WordIf a patient has had a cerebrovascular accident, what part of their body has been affected?Bell Ringer for Thursday-Abbrev.Write following orders as abbreviations:

Immediate electrocardiogram, vital signs every 2 hours, 30 cubic centimeters of cough syrup by mouth as needed or whenever necessaryQuestionsJoe has kidney stones, he should see a: gastroenterologist, pathologist, nephrologist or neurologistWhat prefix means before: pre, semi, sub, tachyIf a patient is turned q2h, how many times will the patient be turned during an 8hour shift? 2,4,8,16What instrument would a doctor use to examine the urinary bladder? Gastroscope, proctoscope, otoscope or cystoscopeWhat prefix means slow: brady, anti, bi, dysQuestions Continued:What health professional would use an opthalmascope? Dentist, xray technician, a foot doctor, an eye doctorWhat prefix means half? Hemi, contra, tachy, contraMaria has osteoporosis. She needs to see a doctor who specializes in the study of the : skin, bones, eyes or lungs.Kate complained of upper abdominal pain immediately after eating spicy food. She most likely has: arteriosclerosis, spelnomegaly, gastritis or nephrosisQuestions ContinuedPhysicians believe that Fatima may have septicemia. What would be tested to confirm the diagnosis: sputum, blood, urine, spinal fluidChris was hit by a baseball and needs a rhinoplasty. He was hit in the: stomach, chest, face, pelvisWhat root word means ear: chem, erythro, neuro, otoWhat suffix means removal of: algia, ectomy, ology, stasisWhich of the following is symptom of pericarditis: bloody urine, chest pain, difficulty swallowing or headache