Understanding Medication: Classifications, Dosages, and Conversions

Medical Terminology

Language used in healthcare to describe anatomy, conditions, treatments, and procedures

Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes

Parts of words that provide meaning in medical terminology

Fluent

Proficient in understanding and using medical terminology

Abbreviations

Shortened forms of medical terms for quick communication

Acronyms

Abbreviations formed from the initial letters of a phrase

Symbols

Characters used in medical documentation for concise representation

Joint Commission

Organization that sets healthcare standards and guidelines

Intranasal

Administration route through the nose

Discontinue

To stop or end a treatment or medication

Apothecary Units

Old system of measurement for medications

Subcutaneously

Administration route under the skin

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Federal agency focused on public health and safety

Emergency Department

Medical facility for urgent care and emergencies

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

Area where patients recover from anesthesia

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the heart

Computed Tomography

Imaging technique using X-rays to create detailed pictures

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Emergency procedure to revive a person's heart and lungs

Electrocardiogram

Test that records the electrical activity of the heart

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Virus that attacks the immune system

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Imaging technique using magnets and radio waves

Hypertension

High blood pressure condition

Gastrointestinal

Relating to the stomach and intestines

Genitourinary

Relating to the reproductive and urinary systems

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Regulation protecting patient health information

Electroencephalogram

Test that measures brain electrical activity

Tuberculosis

Infectious disease affecting the lungs

Pounds

Unit of weight measurement

Increase

To go up or become greater

Male

Biological sex: man or boy

Female

Biological sex: woman or girl

Feet

Unit of length measurement

Inches

Smaller unit of length measurement

Degrees

Unit of measurement for angles

Decrease

To go down or become lesser

Medical Word Building

Process of creating medical terms from roots, prefixes, and suffixes

Word Roots

Core components of many medical terms

Gland

Organ that produces substances for release

Pancreas

Organ that produces insulin and digestive enzymes

Thyroid gland

Endocrine gland that regulates metabolism

Blood

Fluid in the body that carries nutrients and oxygen

Vein

Blood vessel that carries blood towards the heart

Clot

Semi-solid mass formed by coagulated blood

Joint

Connection between two bones

Arm

Upper limb of the body

Neck

Part of the body that connects the head to the torso

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue found in joints

Rib

Curved bone protecting the chest cavity

Skull

Bony structure enclosing the brain

Finger or toe

Digits at the end of the hand or foot

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports, binds, or separates other tissues or organs

Muscle

Tissue responsible for movement in the body

Bone

Hard tissue forming the skeleton

Foot

Body part at the end of the leg

-age

Suffix related to.

-cide

Suffix pertaining to killing.

-form

Suffix indicating shape.

-fuge

Suffix meaning driving away.

-iatry

Suffix for healing by a provider/healer.

-ical

Suffix pertaining to.

-ion

Suffix denoting a process.

-logy

Suffix for the study of, one who studies.

-ole

Suffix meaning little or small.

-opia

Suffix related to vision.

-phylaxis

Suffix indicating protection or prevention.

-pnea

Suffix for breathing.

-therapy

Suffix for treatment.

-uria

Suffix related to urine.

-centesis

Suffix for surgical puncture.

-clasis

Suffix meaning break down.

-desis

Suffix for stabilization or binding.

-ectomy

Suffix indicating removal or excision.

-gram

Suffix for a record.

-graph

Suffix denoting an instrument for recording.

-lepsy

Suffix for seizure or convulsion.

-lysis

Suffix meaning destruction or separation.

-meter

Suffix for a device used for measuring.

-metry

Suffix indicating the process of measuring.

-pexy

Suffix for fixation or putting in place.

-plasty

Suffix for surgical repair or reformation.

-scopy

Suffix for visual examination.

-spasm

Suffix indicating an involuntary twitch.

-stasis

Suffix meaning stopping or controlling.

-stomy

Suffix for creating a new opening.

-tomy

Suffix for an incision.

-tripsy

Suffix for crushing.

Controlled Substance

Substance regulated by law due to abuse potential

Scheduled

Classification of controlled substances based on abuse potential

Schedule I

Highest abuse potential, illegal with no approved medical use

Heroin

A Schedule I substance with high abuse potential

Schedule II

High abuse potential but approved for medical use

Morphine

A Schedule II drug with high abuse potential

Schedule III

Moderate to low potential for dependence

Ketamine

A Schedule III substance with moderate potential for dependence

Schedule IV

Low potential for abuse and dependence

Tramadol

A Schedule IV substance with low abuse potential

Schedule V

Contains limited quantities of narcotics for specific purposes

Diphenoxylate with Atropine

A Schedule V substance for antidiarrheal purposes