Medical Terminology Abbreviations Conditions

What does the combining vowel do?

Connects a word root to a suffix or another root

Which combining vowel is used most often?

O

What are the three basic parts of a medical term?

Prefix, word root, suffix

Which part of a medical term gives the main meaning?

Word root

Which part indicates the procedure, condition, or disease?

Suffix

Which part modifies the meaning of the word?

Prefix

What does diagnosis mean?

Identification of a disease

What does prognosis mean?

Predicted outcome of a disease

What does symptom mean?

What the patient reports

What does sign mean?

Objective finding observed by the healthcare provider

What is an acute disease?

Develops quickly and lasts a short time

What is a chronic disease?

Lasts a long time

What does benign mean?

Not cancerous

What does malignant mean?

Cancerous and capable of spreading

What is inflammation?

The body's response to injury or infection

What is edema?

Swelling caused by excess fluid

What is cyanosis?

Bluish discoloration caused by low oxygen

What is erythema?

Redness of the skin

What is ischemia?

Reduced blood flow to tissue

What is necrosis?

Death of tissue

What is a pathogen?

A disease-causing microorganism

What is asepsis?

Free from disease-causing microorganisms

What is nosocomial?

Acquired in a healthcare facility