Chapter 6 Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology Section 1

Objectives Identify basic medical abbreviations selected from a standard list Define prefixes, suffixes, and root words selected from a list of words Spell and pronounce medical terms correctly

Who can explain what this prescription means? (page 120) Why is it difficult for the average person to interpret this?

Using Medical Abbreviations Shortened forms for convenience Usually just letters Health care workers are expected to recognize most common abbreviations Agencies have their approved lists of abbreviations—if not on list, do not use

Common examples AM – which means morning PM – which means after noon or evening

Use the textbook to interpret the following: BR c BRP FFl qh VS qid NPO 8 PM To LAB for CBC, BUN, and FBS

Sample abbreviations in textbook Contain common abbreviations in use Different abbreviations may be used in different facilities Health care workers are responsible for learning the meaning of the abbreviations used that his/her facility

Prohibited abbreviations and symbols IU is the abbreviation for international unit but can be mistaken for IV (intravenous) or the number 10. Simply write out international unit

The “Do-Not-Use” List: qd, qod, qid are abbreviations for every day, every other day, and four times a day. Can be interchanged if written poorly Every-other-day order could be done four times in one day Write daily, every other day, or four times a day

The “Do-Not-Use” List: cc Abbreviation for cubic centimeter Can be read as u or units if written poorly Write millimeter or mL clearly because 1 cubic centimeter equals 1 millimeter

The “Do-Not-Use” List: @ Symbol for at Mistaken for the number 2 if written poorly Write at

Periods in abbreviation Growing trend towards eliminating periods List in book does not show periods You may work in an agency that does use them Follow policy at your agency

Interpreting Word Parts Section 2 Interpreting Word Parts

6:2 Interpreting Word Parts Impossible to memorize all the medical words individually, so determine meaning of words by breaking it into parts These word parts are used over and over in different combinations If the word parts are known, then the word can be broken down and interpreted (continues)

Interpreting Word Parts (continued) Prefix: syllable or word placed at the beginning of a word; usually serves to further define the word root Suffix: syllable or word placed at the end of the word; usually describes what is happening to the word root (continues)

Examples Suffix it is means “inflammation of” Tonsillitis means “an inflammation of the tonsils” Appendicitis means “inflammation of the appendix” Meaning of the suffix is usually placed first when the word is defined.

Root Words Main words or parts to which prefixes and suffixes can be added Appendix is a root word Add prefix pseudo and suffix itis to get the word pseudoappendicitis which means “false inflammation of the appendix”

Root Words Prefix usually serves to further define the root word Suffix usually describes what is happening to the root word

Vowels with Root Words When prefixes, suffixes, and/or root words are joined, vowels are frequently added: Common examples include: a,e,i,ia,io,o, and u. In the textbook (pages 130-138), they are in parenthesis Vowels are not used if the word root or suffix begins with a vowel

Example Encephal (o) means brain combined with it is meaning “inflammation of” , vowel is not used for encephalitis Combined with gram meaning “tracing or record”, vowel o is added for encephalogram

Example Hepat(o) means “liver” Combine with itis, vowel is not used for hepatitis Combine with megaly meaning “enlarged”, vowel o is added for the hepatomegaly

Interpret the following terms Adenoma Otoscope Bradycardia Macrocythema Erthrocytolysis

Textbook page 129 prefixes, suffices, and root words are shown Pick one term and create at least 15 possible terms using the list in the book

Summary Health care workers have a unique set of abbreviations and words to communicate medical information By learning basic word parts, health care workers may be able to interpret the meaning of a word even if they have never seen it before (continues)

Summary (continued) It is also important to learn correct spellings for word parts so medical terms will be interpreted properly by others

Application Use the list of abbreviations to create three (3) sets of orders or directions Write examples on your paper Then given your directions to another student and ask them to interpret your example

Application Use the list of word parts to create 5 medical terms. Write your example on a piece of paper Give to another student and ask them to interpret your terms

Abbreviate the following examples Give 20 milliequivalents of potassium chloride four times a day before meals Temperature, pulse, and respiration four times a day every six hours Do a barium enema, intravenous pyelogram, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal X-rays Do bloodwork including a complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, differential count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Determine the correct medical term for each: Inflammation of the stomach and intestine Instrument for examining the eye Condition of stones in the gallbladder Surgical removal of the uterus