CNA Abbreviations
Page
Page number
2
of 11
10-14
Handout 3-1 Prefixes
a, an: without, not, lack of
analgesic = without pain
ante: before, in front of
antepartum = before delivery
bi: two, twice, double
bifocal = two lenses
brady: slow
bradycardia = slow pulse, heartbeat
contra: against
contraceptive = prevents pregnancy
dis: apart, free from
disinfected = free from microorganisms
dys: bad, painful
dysuria = painful urination
endo: inner
endoscope = instrument for examining the
inside of an organ
epi: on, upon, over
epidermis = outer layer of skin
erythro: red
erythrocyte = red blood cell
ex: out, away from
exhale = to breathe out
hemi: half
hemisphere = one of two parts of the brain
hyper: too much, high
hypertension = high blood pressure
hypo: below, under
hypotension = low blood pressure
inter: between, within
interdisciplinary = between disciplines
leuk: white
leukocyte = white blood cell
mal: bad, illness, disorder
malformed = badly made
micro: small
microscopic = too small for the eye to see
olig: small, scant
oliguria = small amount of urine
patho: disease, suffering
pathology = study of disease
per: by, through
perforate = to make a hole through
peri: around
pericardium = sac around the heart
poly: many, much
polyuria = much urine
post: after, behind
postmortem = period after death
pre: before, in front of
prenatal = period before birth
sub: under, beneath
subcutaneous = beneath the skin
supra: above, over
suprapelvic = located above the pelvis
tachy: swift, fast, rapid
tachycardia = rapid heartbeat
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Handout 3-2 Roots
abdomin (o): abdomen
abdominal = pertaining to the abdomen
aden (o): gland
adenitis = inflammation of a gland
angi (o): vessel
angioplasty = surgical repair of a vessel
using a balloon
arterio: artery
arteriosclerosis = hardening of artery walls
arthr (o): joint
arthrotomy = cut into a joint
brachi (o): arm
brachial = pertaining to the arm
bronchi, bronch (o): bronchus
bronchopneumonia = inflammation of
lungs
card, cardi (o): heart
cardiology = study of the heart
cerebr (o): cerebrum
cerebrospinal = pertaining to the brain and
spinal cord
cephal (o): head
cephalagia = headache
chole, chol (o): bile
cholecystitis = inflammation of the gall
bladder
colo: colon
colonoscopy = examination of the large
intestine or colon with a scope
cost (o): rib
costochondral = pertaining to a rib
crani (o): skull
craniotomy = cutting into the skull
cyan (o): blue
cyanosis = blue, gray, or purple tinge to
the skin due to lack of oxygen in the blood
cyst (o): bladder, cyst
cystitis = inflammation of the bladder
derm, derma: skin
dermatitis = inflammation of the skin
duoden (o): duodenum
duodenal = pertaining to the duodenum,
the first part of the small intestine
encephal (o): brain
encephalitis = inflammation of the brain
gaster (o), gastro: stomach
gastritis = inflammation of the stomach
geron: aged
gerontology = study of the aged
gluco: sweet
glucometer = device used to measure
blood glucose
glyco, glyc: sweet
glycosuria = glucose (sugar) in the urine
gyneco, gyno: woman
gynecology = study of diseases of the
female reproductive organs
hema, hemato, hemo: blood
hematuria = blood in the urine
hepato: liver
hepatomegaly = enlargement of the liver
hyster (o): uterus
hysterectomy = surgical removal of the
uterus
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ile (o), ili(o): ileum
ileorrhaphy = surgical repair of the ileum
laryng (o): larynx
laryngectomy = excision of the larynx
lymph (o): lymph
lymphocyte = type of white blood cell
mamm (o): breast
mammogram = x-ray of the breast
mast (o): breast
mastectomy = excision of the breast
melan (o): black
melanoma = mole or tumor, may be
cancerous
mening (o): meninges; membranes
covering the spinal cord and brain
meningitis = inflammation of the
membranes of the spinal cord or brain
necro: death
necrotic = dead tissue
nephr (o): kidney
nephrectomy = removal of a kidney
neur (o): nerve
neuritis = inflammation of a nerve
onc (o): tumor
oncology = study of tumors
ophthalm (o): eye
ophthalmologist = eye doctor
oste (o): bone
osteoarthritis = disease of the joints
ot (o): ear
otology = science of the ear
pharyng (o): pharynx
pharyngitis = inflammation of the throat,
sore throat
phleb (o): vein
phlebitis = inflammation of a vein
pneo (a): breathing
tachypnea = rapid breathing
pneum: air, gas, respiration
pneumonia = inflammation of the lung
pod (o): foot
podiatrist = foot doctor
proct (o): anus, rectum
proctology = study of the rectum
pulm (o): lung
pulmonary = relating to the lungs
splen (o): spleen
splenomegaly = enlarged spleen
stomat (o): mouth
stomatitis = inflammation of mouth
therm (o): hot, heat
thermoplegia = heatstroke
thorac (o): chest
thoracotomy = incision into chest wall
thromb (o): blood clot
thrombus = blood clot blocking a vessel
toxic (o), tox (o): poison
toxicology = study of poisons
trache (o): trachea, windpipe
tracheostomy = incision to make an
artificial airway
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urethr (o): urethra
urethritis = inflammation of urethra
10-14
Handout 3-3 Suffixes
-cyte: cell
leukocyte = white blood cell
-ectomy: excision, removal of
splenectomy = removal of spleen
-emia: blood condition
anemia = lack of red blood cells
-emesis: vomiting
hyperemesis = excessive vomiting
-ism: a condition
hyperthyroidism = condition caused by an
excessive production of thyroid hormones
-itis: inflammation
stomatitis = inflammation of the mouth
-logy: study of
hematology = study of the blood
-megaly: enlargement
splenomegaly = enlarged spleen
-oma: tumor
melanoma = mole or tumor, may be
cancerous
-osis: condition
halitosis = bad breath
-ostomy: creation of an opening
ileostomy = creation of an opening into the
ileum
-otomy: cut into
laparotomy = cutting into the abdomen
-pathy: disease
myopathy = disease of the muscle
-penia: lack
leukopenia = a lack of white blood cells
-phagia: to eat
dysphagia = difficulty swallowing
-phasia: speaking
aphasia = absence of speaking
-phobia: exaggerated fear
acrophobia = fear of high places
-plasty: surgical repair
angioplasty = surgical repair of a vessel
using a balloon
-plegia: paralysis
paraplegia = paralysis of lower portion of
the body
-rrhage: excessive flow
hemorrhage = excessive flow of blood
-scopy: examination using a scope
colonoscopy = examination of the large
intestine or colon with a scope
-stomy: creation of an opening
colostomy = opening into the colon
-tomy: incision, cutting into
thoracotomy = incision into chest wall
-uria: condition of the urine
dysuria = painful urination
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Handout 3-4 Abbreviations
a before
AAROM active-assistive range of motion
ABCD airway, breathing, circulation,
defibrillation
abd abdomen
ABR absolute bedrest
a.c. before meals
AD Alzheimer’s disease
ADC AIDS dementia complex
ad lib as desired
adm. admission
ADLs activities of daily living
AED automated external defribrillator
AHA American Heart Association
AIDS acquired immune deficiency
syndrome
AIIR airborne infection isolation room
AKA above-knee amputation
am, AM morning
AMA against medical advice, American
Medical Association
amb. ambulate
AMD age-related macular degeneration
amt. amount
ant. anterior
AOD, adult onset diabetes mellitus
AODM
ANS autonomic nervous system
a.p./AP apical pulse
approx. approximately
AROM active range of motion
ASAP as soon as possible
assist assistance
as tol as tolerated
A, T, D admission, transfer and discharge
ax axillary
BID, b.i.d. two times a day
BKA below-knee amputation
bld blood
BLS basic life support
BM bowel movement
BP, B/P blood pressure
BPH benign prostatic hypertrophy
BPM beats per minute
BR bedrest
BRP bathroom privileges
BSC bedside commode
BSE breast self examination
C centigrade, Celsius
c with
Ca/CA calcium, cancer, carcinoma
CAD coronary artery disease
cal calorie
cath. catheter
CBC complete blood count
CBI continuous bladder irrigation
CBR complete bedrest
cc cubic centimeter
CCMS clean-catch midstream
CDC Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
CDE certified diabetes educator
C-diff clostridium difficile
CEP competency evaluation program
CEU continuing education unit
CHD coronary heart disease
CHF congestive heart failure
chol cholesterol
ck check
cl liq clear liquid
cm centimeter
CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services
c/o complains of, in care of
CNA certified nursing assistant
CNP certified nurse practitioner
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CNS central nervous system
CO2 carbon dioxide
COLD chronic obstructive lung disease
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease
CP cerebral palsy
CPM continuous passive motion
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRF chronic renal failure
CSF cerebrospinal fluid
C.S. Central Supply
CVA cerebrovascular accident, stroke
CVP central venous pressure
CVS cardiovascular system
CXR chest x-ray
DAT diet as tolerated
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
DJD degenerative joint disease
DM diabetes mellitus
DNR do not resuscitate
DO doctor of osteopathy
DOA dead on arrival
DOB date of birth
DON director of nursing
Dr. doctor
DRG diagnostic related group
drsg dressing
DVT deep vein thrombosis
Dx/dx diagnosis
ECG, EKG electrocardiogram
ED emergency department
EENT eye, ear, nose and throat
e.g. for example
EMS emergency medical services
ER emergency room
ESRD end-stage renal disease
et al. and other things
ETOH alcohol
exam examination
F Fahrenheit, female
FBS fasting blood sugar
FDA Food and Drug Administration
Fe iron
FF force fluids
FH family history
fld fluid
FS fingerstick
FSBS fingerstick blood sugar
ft foot
FUO fever of unknown origin
FWB full weight-bearing
FYI for your information
F/U, f/u follow-up
fx fracture
GAD generalized anxiety disorder
gal gallon
GB gall bladder
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease
geri chair geriatric chair
GI gastrointestinal
GP general practitioner
Gm, gm gram
GSW gunshot wound
GTT glucose tolerance test
GU genitourinary
GYN/gyn gynecology
h, hr, hr. hour
H20 water
H202 hydrogen peroxide
HAART highly active anti-retroviral therapy
H/A headache
HAV hepatitis A virus
HBV hepatitis B virus
HCV hepatitis C virus
HDV hepatitis D virus
HEV hepatitis E virus
Hg mercury
HHA home health aide
Hi-cal high calorie