Medical Terminology and Administration Unit 1

Importance of Standardized Medical Terminology

• Correct medical terminology is a standardized language that enables precise and efficient communication among healthcare professionals.
• In the Irish healthcare sector, possession of a fundamental grasp of medical terminology is vital for effective communication with patients and providers.
• Enhanced Communication: Faciliates accurate exchange, ensuring information is conveyed precisely and minimizing misinterpretation. Examples: Correct use of "myocardial infarction" vs. "angina pectoris".
• Improved Comprehension: Helps receptionists understand instructions, identify symptoms, and document accurately for diagnosis and treatment.
• Enhanced Documentation: Accurate terms in reports and charts provide a better understanding of patient medical history.
• Resources for learning include medical dictionaries, online sources, and institutional training.

Consequences of Incorrect Medical Terminology Usage

Consequences for Doctors

• Legal Risks: Consistent misuse can lead to professional misconduct charges.
• Reputational Damage: Misuse can lead colleagues and patients to perceive the doctor as incompetent, undermining trust.
• Litigation and Licensing: Negligence resulting from incorrect terminology can lead to lawsuits, financial penalties, or being struck off the medical register.
• Disciplinary Action: Regulatory boards may issue warnings, require retraining, or place temporary/permanent restrictions on practice.
• Loss of Patients: Miscommunication decreases patient satisfaction and trust.
• Insurance Costs: Malpractice claims stemming from terminology errors can increase medical indemnity insurance premiums.

Consequences for Medical Administration Staff

• Employment Termination: Since precise understanding is required for handling records and scheduling, consistent errors can lead to losing one's job.
• Misconduct Charges: Similar to doctors, repeated misuse in documentation is viewed as a breach of professional standards.
• Reputational Damage: Inaccurate communication diminishes confidence in the practice's professionalism.

Consequences for Patients

• Misdiagnosis: Mislabeling symptoms (e.g., calling a "brain tumour" a "migraine") leads to improper testing and treatment.
• Delayed Treatment: Miscommunication causes delays in necessary tests, consultations, or procedures.
• Incorrect Treatment: Can result in administering wrong medications or ignoring allergies/contraindications.
• Further Health Risks: Inaccurately described surgical procedures can lead to operative errors and complications.

Structural Components of Medical Words

• Medical words are primarily mixtures of Greek and Latin terms.
• Structural Parts:     1. Prefix: Comes before the root word; gives information on location, number of parts, or time. It is never used alone.     2. Root Word: The foundation/base of the term that identifies the specific body part. A vowel (usually "o") called a combining vowel is added to link roots or suffixes to ease pronunciation.     3. Suffix: Added to the end of the word to denote conditions, diseases, or procedures. Not used alone.
• Word Combinations:     * Prefix + Root word     * Root word + Suffix     * Prefix + Suffix     * Prefix + Root word + Suffix
• Common Mistake - Phonetic Confusion: "Ileum" (small intestine) and "ilium" (pelvis) sound identical. "Hypertension" and "hypotension" share most letters. Terms must be pronounced correctly to avoid clinical errors.
• Common Mistake - Combining Vowels: Joining two roots requires a vowel. Example: "Cardiopulmonary" is correct; "cardpulmonary" is incorrect.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Defining Medical Words

• Process: (1) Define Suffix first, (2) Define Prefix second, (3) Define Root word third.
• Example: Pre/nat/al:     * Suffix (-al): about.     * Prefix (pre-): before.     * Root (nat): birth.     * Meaning: About before birth.
• Example: Sub/cost/al:     * Suffix (-al): about.     * Prefix (sub-): below/beneath.     * Root (cost): rib.     * Meaning: About beneath the rib.
• Example: Oste/o/arthr/itis:     * Suffix (-itis): inflammation.     * Beginning (oste/o): bone.     * Middle (arthr): joint.     * Meaning: Inflammation of the bone and joint.
• Example: Gastr/o/enter/o/logy:     * Suffix (-o/logy): study of.     * Beginning (gastr/o): stomach.     * Middle (enter): intestines.     * Meaning: The study of the stomach and intestines.
• Example: Electr/o/cardi/o/gram:     * Suffix (-gram): record.     * Beginning (electr/o): electricity.     * Root (cardi/o): heart.     * Meaning: A record of the electrical activity of the heart.

Reference List: Common Prefixes

• a-/an-: No, not, without.
• ab-: Away from.
• ad-: Toward, near.
• ambi-: Both.
• ana-: Up, apart.
• ante-: Before, forward.
• anti-: Against (e.g., antibiotic).
• auto-: Self.
• bi-: Two, both.
• chron/o: Time.
• con-: With, together.
• contra-: Against.
• dia-: Through, complete.
• dipl-: Two, double, twice.
• dys-: Bad, painful (e.g., dyspnoea: difficult breathing).
• ex-: Out, outside.
• ectop-: Out of place.
• endo-: Within, in, inner.
• emphys-: Inflated.
• epi-: Above, upon.
• eu-: Good, well, normal.
• extra-: Outside of.
• fibro-: Fibrous.
• gero-: Old age.
• glycol-: Sugar.
• graph-: Writing.
• hemi-: Half (e.g., hemiplegia: partial paralysis).
• hyper-: Excessive, above (e.g., hypertension: high blood pressure).
• hypo-: Below, deficient (e.g., hypothyroidism: underactive thyroid).
• il-, im-, in-, ir-: Not.
• inter-: Between.
• intra-: Within.
• intro-: Into.
• later-: To one side.
• lith-: Stone, calculus.
• mal-: Bad (e.g., malformation).
• medi-: Middle.
• mega-: Great.
• melan-: Dark coloured.
• meta-: Beyond.
• micro-: Small.
• neo-: New.
• onc-: Tumour.
• ortho-: Straight, normal, true.
• paed-: Children.
• para-: Near, along the side of.
• path-: Disease.
• per-: Through.
• peri-: Surrounding.
• poly-: Many, much (e.g., polydactyly).
• post-: After.
• pre-: Before.
• pro-: Before, forward.
• prost-: Before, forward.
• pseudo-: False.
• re-: Back, behind.
• retro-: Back, behind.
• scler-: Hardening or thickening.
• semi-: Half (e.g., semiconscious).
• seps-: Infection.
• sten-: Narrowing.
• sub-: Beneath, less than.
• supra-: Upon, above.
• syn-: With, together.
• tachy-: Fast, rapid (e.g., tachycardia).
• brady-: Slow, decreased (e.g., bradycardia).
• tox-: Poison.
• trans-: Across, though.
• tri-: Three.
• ultra-: Beyond.
• uni-: One.

Reference List: Common Root Words

• abdomen/o: Abdomen.
• aden/o: Gland.
• aemia: Blood.
• amni/o: Amnion (embryo fluid sac).
• angi/o: Vessel (usually blood vessel).
• arteri/o: Artery.
• arthr/o: Joint.
• ather/o: Plaque (yellow fatty material).
• audi/o: Hearing, sound.
• bronch/o / bronchi/o: Bronchial tubes.
• carcin/o: Cancerous.
• cardi/o: Heart.
• carp/o: Carpals (wrist bones).
• chem/o: Drug or chemical.
• cholecyst/o: Gallbladder.
• col/o: Colon (large intestine/bowel).
• cost/o: Ribs.
• crani/o: Skull.
• cutane/o / derm/o: Skin.
• cyst/o: Urinary bladder.
• cyt/o: Cell.
• dura: Dura mater (brain membrane).
• encephal/o: Brain.
• enter/o: Intestine.
• erythr/o: Red/red blood cells.
• esophag/o: Oesophagus.
• gastr/o: Stomach.
• glyc/o / glycos/: Sugar.
• gyn/o: Female.
• hem/o / hemat/o: Blood.
• hepat/o: Liver.
• hom/o/e: Man, same, common.
• hypn/o: Sleep.
• hyster/o / metr/o / uter/o: Uterus.
• ile: Ileum.
• inguin/o: Groin.
• kerat/o: Cornea.
• labi: Lips.
• lapar/o: Abdomen / abdominal wall.
• laryng/o: Voice box / larynx.
• later/o: Side.
• leuc/o: White/white blood cells.
• lip/o: Fat.
• mamm/o / mast/o: Breast.
• men/o: Menses / menstruation / month.
• mening/o: Meninges (brain/spinal cord membranes).
• my/o: Muscle.
• myel/o: Spinal cord or bone marrow.
• nas/o / rhin/o: Nose.
• nat/I: Birth.
• necr/o: Death of cells.
• nephr/o / ren/o: Kidney.
• neur/o: Nerve.
• odont/o: Teeth.
• oophor/o: Ovary.
• ophthal/o: Eye.
• or/o: Mouth.
• oste/o: Bone.
• ot/o: Ear.
• pelv/o: Pelvic bone.
• peritone/o: Peritoneum.
• phleb/o / ven/o: Vein.
• pneumon/o / pulm/o: Lung.
• psych/o: Mind.
• salping/o: Tube (eustachian or fallopian).
• sarc/o: Flesh.
• scapul/o: Scapula (shoulder blade).
• therm/o: Heat.
• thorac/o: Chest.
• thromb/o: Clot.
• thyroid/o: Thyroid gland.
• tonsill/o: Tonsils.
• trache/o: Windpipe / trachea.
• ur/o: Urine, urea, or urinary tract.
• urethr/o: Urethra.
• vascul/o: Blood vessel.
• vertebr/o: Vertebra (backbone).

Reference List: Common Suffixes

• -action: A process/condition.
• -al / -ar / -ic / -tic / -ous: Pertaining to.
• -algia / -dynia: Pain.
• -cele: Swelling, hernia.
• -centesis: Surgical puncture to remove fluid.
• -cidal: Killing.
• -cision: Process of cutting.
• -crine: Secretion.
• -demic: People.
• -desis: Binding.
• -eal: About.
• -ectomy: Removal, resection, excision.
• -emesis: Vomiting.
• -emia: Blood condition.
• -gen: To produce.
• -gram: Record.
• -graphy: Process of recording.
• -gravida: Pregnant.
• -ia / -ism / -y: A condition or process.
• -ist: Practitioner.
• -itis: Inflammation.
• -lapse: To fall, slide.
• -logy: Field of study.
• -lysis: Loosening, breakdown, separation, destruction.
• -megaly: Enlargement.
• -mission: To send.
• -mortem: Death.
• -natal / -partum: Birth.
• -oid: Like.
• -oma: Tumour, mass.
• -ometry: Measure of.
• -oscopy / -scopy: To view or the process of visual examination.
• -osis: A condition, abnormal condition.
• -ostomy / -stomy: Creating an artificial opening.
• -otomy / -tomy: Cutting into / incision.
• -pathy: Disease.
• -penia: Abnormal reduction.
• -pepsia: Digestion.
• -pexy: Fixing.
• -phagia: Swallowing.
• -phasia: Speech.
• -phobia: Fear.
• -plasm: Formation.
• -plasty: Surgical repair.
• -pnea: Breathing.
• -rrhea: Flow, discharge.
• -sclerosis: Hardening.
• -section: To cut.
• -stasis: Stop, control.
• -tension: Pressure.
• -therapy: Treatment.
• -thesis: To put, place.
• -thorax: Condition of the chest (e.g., pneumothorax).
• -um: Structure.
• -uria: Urine condition.

Activity: Word Deconstruction and Meanings

• Endoscopy (endo/scopy): A process of viewing within the body.
• Apnoea (a/pnea): Not breathing.
• Cardiomegaly (cardi/o/megaly): An enlarged heart.
• Dysuria (dys/uria): Painful urination.
• Bilateral (bi/later/al): About two sides.
• Bradycardia (brady/cardia): The condition of a slow heart.
• Intravenous (intra/ven/ous): About within the vein.
• Epidermis (epi/dermis): The outer layer of the skin.
• Neonatal (neo/nat/al): About a new birth.
• Hepatitis (hepat/itis): Inflammation of the liver.
• Dermatitis (dermat/itis): Inflammation of the skin.
• Cardiology (cardi/o/logy): The study of the heart.
• Nephrectomy (nephr/ectomy): Removal of a kidney.
• Gastroscopy (gastr/o/scopy): Examination of the stomach.
• Tonsillectomy (tonsill/ectomy): Removal of the tonsils.
• Renal (ren/al): Pertaining to / about the kidney.
• Mammogram (mamm/o/gram): A record of the breast.

Common Medical Abbreviations

• A&E: Accident and emergency.
• A/O: Alert and orientated.
• AFib: Atrial fibrillation.
• AMA: Against medical advice.
• ASHD: Arteriosclerotic heart disease.
• BM: Bowel movement.
• BP: Blood pressure.
• CAD: Coronary artery disease.
• CBC: Complete blood count.
• CHF: Congestive heart failure.
• CNS: Central nervous system.
• COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• CP: Cerebral palsy.
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• CVA: Cerebrovascular accident.
• D/C: Discontinue.
• DD: Developmentally delayed.
• DKA: Diabetic ketoacidosis.
• DNR: Do not resuscitate.
• DOB: Date of birth.
• Dx: Diagnosis.
• ECG/EKG: Electrocardiogram.
• F/M: Female / Male.
• Fx: Fracture.
• GI: Gastrointestinal.
• GP: General Practitioner.
• Hx: History.
• IM: Intramuscular.
• IV: Intravenous.
• LBP: Lower back pain.
• LOC: Level of consciousness.
• Lt/Rt: Left / Right.
• MD: Medical doctor.
• MI: Myocardial infarction.
• MS: Multiple sclerosis.
• NGT: Nasogastric tube.
• NPO: Nil Per Os (nothing by mouth).
• O2: Oxygen.
• OD: Overdose.
• OT: Occupational therapy.
• POE: Pulmonary Oedema.
• PT: Physical therapy.
• RBC: Red blood cell.
• Rx: Prescription.
• SOB: Shortness of breath.
• TB: Tuberculosis.
• TIA: Transient ischemic attack.
• TPN: Total parenteral nutrition.
• TPR: Temperature, pulse, respiration.
• URI: Upper respiratory infection.
• UTI: Urinary tract infection.
• y/o: Year old.

Abbreviations for Commonly Ordered Tests

• ABGs: Arterial blood gases.
• AFB: Acid-fast bacilli.
• APTT: Activated partial thromboplastin time.
• BE: Barium enema.
• BUN: Blood urea nitrogen.
• C&S: Culture and sensitivity.
• C&T: Crossmatch and type.
• CK: Creatine kinase.
• CO2: Carbon dioxide.
• CRP: C-reactive protein.
• CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid.
• CT: Computed tomography.
• CXR: Chest x-ray.
• EMG: Electromyography.
• ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
• FBS: Fasting blood sugar.
• GB/GBS: Gallbladder series.
• GTT: Glucose tolerance test.
• HbA1c: Glycated haemoglobin.
• HBV: Hepatitis B virus.
• Hct: Haematocrit.
• HDL: High-density lipoprotein.
• HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus.
• INR: International normalisation ratio.
• IV-GTT: Intravenous glucose tolerance test.
• IVP: Intravenous pyelogram.
• K: Potassium.
• KUB: X-ray of kidney, ureter, and bladder.
• LDH: Lactic dehydrogenase.
• LP: Lumbar puncture.
• LS: X-ray of the lumbosacral spine.
• MCH: Mean corpuscular haemoglobin.
• MCHC: Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration.
• MCV: Mean corpuscular volume.
• Mg: Magnesium.
• MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging.
• Na: Sodium.
• O&P: Ova and parasites.
• OB: Occult blood.
• P: Phosphorus.
• Pap: Pap smear.
• PCO2: Partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
• PFT: Pulmonary function test.
• PSA: Prostate-specific antigen.
• PT: Prothrombin time.
• PTT: Partial thromboplastin time.
• S&A: Sugar and acetone.
• SBF: Small bowel follow-through.
• SGOT: Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase.
• SGPT: Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase.
• T&S: Type and screen.
• T3: Triiodothyronine.
• T4: Thyroxine.
• TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone.
• UGI: Upper gastrointestinal series.
• US: Ultrasound.
• VMA: Vanillyl mandelic acid.
• WBC: White blood cell count.

Healthcare Facilities and Medical Specialities

• Anaesthesiology (Anaesthesiologist): Monitors vital signs during surgery; administers agents for loss of sensation/consciousness.
• Cardiology (Cardiologist): Investigates and treats conditions of the heart and blood vessels.
• Dermatology (Dermatologist): Concerned with skin disorders and skin cancer.
• Endocrinology (Endocrinologist): Treats endocrine system disorders (diabetes, thyroid/pituitary dysfunction, menstrual problems).
• Gastroenterology (Gastroenterologist): Digestive system disorders (oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines).
• Gynaecology (Gynaecologist): Female reproductive system; deals with fertility, miscarriage, fibroids, cysts.
• Haematology (Haematologist): Studies blood formation and treats blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lymphatic disorders.
• Immunology (Immunologist): Immune system disorders including allergies, autoimmune issues, and HIV/AIDS.
• Nephrology (Nephrologist): Kidney disorders.
• Neurology (Neurologist): Brain and nervous system.
• Neurosurgery (Neurosurgeon): Surgery on the brain and spinal cord.
• Obstetrics (Obstetrician): Pregnancy, childbirth, antenatal, and postnatal care.
• Oncology (Oncologist): Cause and treatment of benign and malignant tumours.
• Ophthalmology (Ophthalmologist): Eye disorders.
• Orthopaedics (Orthopaedist): Musculoskeletal disorders (prevention and treatment).
• Otorhinolaryngology (Otolaryngologist/ENT): Surgery of the ear, nose, and throat.
• Paediatrics (Paediatrician): Disease in infants, children, and adolescents.
• Pathology (Pathologist): Studies disease causes/effects; conducts post-mortem examinations.
• Plastic Surgery (Plastic Surgeon): Reconstructive surgery for damaged tissues (burns, mastectomies).
• Psychiatry (Psychiatrist): Mental health and behavioural problems; uses counselling or psychotherapy.
• Psychology (Psychologist): Study of mental processes, memory, learning, and personality development.
• Pulmonology (Pulmonologist): Respiratory disorders.
• Radiology (Radiologist): Uses x-rays, ultrasound, and MRI for diagnosis.
• Rheumatology (Rheumatologist): Disorders of joints, muscles, and connective tissue.
• Surgery (Surgeon): Physical intervention for disease/injury.
• Urology (Urologist): Urinary tract in females; male reproductive system.

Roles of Medical Professionals

• General Practitioner (GP): Family doctor providing community healthcare.
• Doctor: Title for anyone qualified as a medical practitioner.
• Consultant: Fully trained specialist in a specific branch of medicine; works in hospitals or private practice.
• Nurse: Trained in caring for the sick; may assist in surgeries.
• Nurse Practitioner: Advanced training allowing them to take on roles traditionally held by doctors in primary/specialized care.
• Midwife: Provides care during childbirth and surrounding periods (antenatal, perinatal, postnatal).
• Pharmacist: Prepares and dispenses prescription drugs.
• Dentist: Professional concerned with dental care.

Alternative Types of Treatment (Holistic)

• Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese treatment involving needles placed in body energy lines to promote healing.
• Aromatherapy: Use of essential plant oils and massage for emotional and physical problems.
• Chiropractic: Developed in the late 19th century (USA); addresses musculoskeletal disorders via spinal manipulation and soft tissue techniques.
• Homoeopathy: Patient takes diluted natural substances that would normally cause/aggravate the condition.
• Hydrotherapy: Physiotherapy in a shallow pool heated to $35\,^{\circ}C$; warmth and buoyancy assist movement.
• Osteopathy: Used for back pain and bone disorders; employs manipulation, rhythmic stretching, and pressure.
• Reflexology: Originated in China/India; massage on specific hand/foot parts to stimulate nerves/blood supply and relieve tension.

Specialized Category Terms

Surgical and Diagnostic Procedures

• -centesis: Surgical puncture.
• -desis: Surgical fixation/fusion.
• -pexy: Fix or secure.
• -rrhaphy: Suture.
• tripsy: To crush/break.
• aspir/o: Removal.
• assay: Examine/analyse.
• auscult/o: To listen.
• palp/o: To touch gently.
• percuss/o: To tap.
• tome: Instrument for cutting.

Numerical Values

• Half: Demi, Hemi, Semi.
• One: Mono, Uni.
• One and a half: Sesqui.
• Two: Bi, Di.
• Three: Tri.
• Four: Tetra, Quadri.
• Five: Quinque, Pent, Penta.
• Six: Hex, Hexa, Sex.
• Seven: Hepta, Sept, Septi.
• Eight: Octa, Octi.
• Nine: Noni.
• Ten: Deca.
• Hundred: Hecto.
• Thousand: Kilo.
• Million: Mega.
• Billion: Giga.
• Trillion: Tera.
• Quadrillion: Peta.
• Quintillion: Exa.
• one-tenth: Deci.
• one-hundredth: Centi.
• one-thousandth: Milli.
• one-millionth: Micro.
• one-billionth: Nano.
• one-trillionth: Pico.
• one-quadrillionth: Femto.
• one-quintillionth: Atto.

Pathogens and Colours

• acar/o: Mites.
• arachn/o: Spider.
• coccus: Berry-shaped bacterium.
• helminth/o: Worm.
• hirud/i: Leech.
• ixod/i: Ticks.
• myc/o: Fungus.
• pedicul/o: Louse.
• alb/o / albin/o: White.
• chlor/o: Green.
• cirrh/o: Orange yellow.
• cyan/o: Blue.
• eosin/o: Red, rosy.
• flav/o / jaund/o / lute/o / xanth/o: Yellow.
• fusc/o: Dark brown.
• glauc/o: Grey, bluish green.
• poli/o / tephr/o: Grey.
• purpur/i: Purple.
• rhod/o / rose/o / rubr/i: Red/rosy.

Directional Terms

• ambi- / amphi- / circum- / peri-: Around.
• anter/o / fore- / pre- / pro- / pros/o: Front / before.
• cata-: Down, under.
• dextr/o: Right.
• levo- / sinistr/o: Left.
• dist/o: Distant.
• eso-: Within.
• infra- / hypo- / sub-: Below, beneath.
• juxta- / proxim/o: Near.
• medi/o / meso-: Middle.
• retro- / poster/o: Behind / back.
• super- / supra- / epi-: Above / beyond.

Miscellaneous Medical Definitions and Drugs

• Salbutamol: Bronchodilator for asthma (Albuterol in USA).
• Methyldopa (Aldomet): Treats hypertension, specifically in pregnancy.
• Anaemia: Deficiency of red cells or haemoglobin.
• Angina: Chest pain from inadequate oxygen to the heart.
• Atrovent: Relaxes/dilates bronchial passageways.
• Azithromycin (Zithromax): Antibacterial medication.
• Febrile / Afebrile: Having a fever / No fever.
• Hematemesis: Vomiting of blood.
• Internal Fixation: Surgical stabilization of fractures using plates, pins, or rods.
• Ischemia: Insufficient blood supply to an organ.
• Malleolus: Bony protrusion on the ankle.
• Mortise: Hinge connecting tibia/fibula to the talus.
• Parenchyma: Functional elements of an organ vs. its supporting capsule.
• Pes Planus: Technical term for flat foot.
• PKU Test: Newborn test for phenylketones in urine.
• Splenomegaly: Enlarged spleen.
• Subluxation / Luxation: Partial or full joint dislocation.

Unit Summary and Reflective Practice

• Summary: Medical terms are built from Greek/Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Breaking them down systematically (suffix first) allows for decoding unfamiliar terms. Abbreviations require high accuracy; changing one letter (URI vs UTI) is a clinical error. Specialist departments have distinct vocabularies that administrators must master. Incorrect terminology has legal, reputational, and health consequences.
• Reflective Questions:     * Deconstruct three terms into prefix, root, and suffix.     * Identify two similar-looking abbreviations and discuss the risks of confusion.     * Explain the difference between Chiropractic and Osteopathy to a patient.     * Determine the protocol if a doctor dictates "haematocrit" but you hear "haemothorax" (Action: Check dictionary or clarify before typing).