Basic Concepts - Pathophysiology/Nursing

list of terms that are important to understand

a/an

prefix meaning not, without

ab-

prefix meaning from, away from, off

ad-

prefix meaning increase, adherence, to or toward

aer-

prefix meaning the air, or gas

algia-

prefix meaning the air, or gas

ascend-

to move upward to a higher position

asymmetrical–

denoting a lack of symmetry between two or more parts that are alike

bi-

prefix meaning twice or double

bilateral-

relating to or having two sides

blast-

denotes an immature precursor cell

brady-

prefix meaning slow

dorsal

pertaining to the back

dys-

prefix referring to “bad” or difficulty

\-ectomy

suffix denoting removal of an anatomical part

\-emia

suffix meaning “in the blood”

hemo-

prefix referring in the blood

hemorrhage

escape of blood from the intravascular space. To bleed.

hyper-

prefix meaning excessive, above normal

hypo-

prefix deficient, below normal

ICU

intensive care unit

“i”

suffix that often creates plural form; ex—one embolus, two emboli.

\-iasis

suffix meaning state or condition. ex-psoriasis

idio

prefix meaning private, distinctive, or peculiar to

inferior

situated below or directly downward

itis

suffix meaning having to do with inflammation or infection

IV

intravenous

lipo-

pertaining to fat

lytic

suffix creates adjective form of lysis

lysis

suffix refers to destruction of a substances, usually a cell

macro

prefix meaning large, long

megaly

suffix meaning large - overproduction of the growth hormone causes acromegaly

micro

prefix denoting smallness

necro

prefix meaning death

ostomy

suffix meaaning artificial opening (stoma) into the urinary or gastrointestinal tract or trachea

ology

suffix meaning the study of a subject

osis

suffix meaning condition

otomy

suffix meaning a cutting operation

plasty

suffix referring to molding, shaping,, or the result there of a surgical procedure

scopy

suffix referring to viewing or seeing

superior

situated above or directly upward

symmetrical

equality in two like parts

tachy

prefix meaning rapid

unilateral

confined to one side of the body only

ventral

pertaining to the front side (as opposed to dorsal)

VS

vital signs

BP

Blood pressure (measured as systolic over diastolic mm of Hg)

HR

Heart rate (measures in beats per min.)

RR

Respiratory rate (breaths per min.)

T or temp

temperature

SO2 or Pulse Oximeter or Pulse OX or O2 sat

oxygen saturation (measured as %)

MI

myocardial infarction

edema

swelling