Medical Prefixes, Suffixes and Terminology

abdomin/o

abdomen

bronch/i

airway, bronchus

cardi/o

heart

cephal/o

head

cervic/o

neck

crani/o

cranium (skull)

gastr/o

stomach

hem(at)/o

blood

hepat/o

liver

nephr/o

kidney

oste/o

bone

pneum(at)/o

lung, air

thorac/o

chest

bi-

two

brady-

slow (Bradycardia)

circum-

around, about

hemi-

half

hyper-

over, excessive, high

hypo-

under, below normal

supra-

above, upper

tachy-

fast, rapid

-algia

pertaining to pain

-emesis

vomiting

AED

automated external defibrillator

AMA

against medical advice

ASA

aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

BGL

blood glucose level

BP, B/P

blood pressure

BPM

beats per minute

BSA

body surface area

BVM

bag valve mask

CC, C/C

chief complaint

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

DNR

do not resuscitate

DOA

dead on arrival

GI

gastrointestinal

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

HTN

hypertension

MOI

mechanism of injury

NC

nasal cannula

NKA

no known allergies

OPA

oropharyngeal airway

PERRL

pupils equal, round and reactive to light

PMH

past medical history

pt

patient

SOB

shortness of breath

S/S, S&S

signs and symptoms

arteri(o)-

Of or pertaining to an artery

dys-

bad, difficult (Dyspnea)

a-, an-

Denotes an absence of (Arrhythmia, Apathy)

-ism

condition, disease (Hypothyroidism)

-itis

inflammation (Appendicitis)

muscul(o)-

muscle (Musculoskeletal system)

nas(o)-

Of or pertaining to the nose

or(o)-

Of or pertaining to the mouth

vasculo-
vaso-

blood vessel (Vasoconstriction)

RUQ

right upper quadrant (abdomen)

RLQ

right lower quadrant (abdomen)

LLQ

Left lower quadrant (abdomen)

LUQ

Left upper quadrant (abdomen)

AVPU

Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive (mental status rating)

LOC

Level Of Consciousness or loss of consciousness

PMS

Pulse/Motor/Sensory
premenstrual syndrome

LPM

Liters per minute

SAMPLE

Signs & symptoms, allergies, meds, past medical history, last oral intake, events leading up

NOI

Nature of Illness

DOTS

Deformities, Open wounds, Tenderness, Swelling

L

Left

R

Right