Chapter 06 Medical Terminology

6:1 Using Medical Abbreviations Shortened forms of words Usually just letters Health care workers are expected to recognize most common abbreviations Agencies have their own approved lists of abbreviations—if not on list, do not use

6:1 Using Medical Abbreviations (continued) Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Facilities’ Do Not Use list of abbreviations that cause confusion IU or U qd, qod, qid cc Lack of leading zero

6:1 Using Medical Abbreviations (continued) Do Not Use list (continued) Trailing zero sc or SC or SQ AD, AS, AU, OD, OS, OU @ symbol < or > symbols Apothecary unit symbols

6:1 Using Medical Abbreviations (continued) Learn the abbreviations and symbols approved for use in your work facility Use index cards to make flashcards Use flashcards to study abbreviations Some instructors may give weekly tests

6:2 Interpreting Word Parts Impossible to memorize all medical words relevant to your health care career Determine word meaning by breaking word into parts If word parts are known, the word can be broken down and interpreted

6:2 Interpreting Word Parts (continued) Prefix Syllable or word placed at the beginning of a word; usually serves to further define word root Suffix Syllable or word placed at the end of word; usually describes what is happening to word root

6:2 Interpreting Word Parts (continued) Word Roots Main words or parts to which prefixes and suffixes can be added Prefixes and suffixes have set meanings When prefixes, suffixes, and/or word roots are joined together, vowels are frequently added

6:2 Interpreting Word Parts (continued) Eponyms are medical terms named after people, places, or things For prefixes, suffixes, and word roots for parts of the human body, refer to Figure 6-3 in Text Refer to the list of common prefixes, suffixes, and word roots in Text