Medical Terminology
What does the prefix tachy- mean?
What is fast, rapid, or abnormally increased.
Name the organ primarily responsible for pumping blood
Heart
What is the primary function of red blood cells?
What is Red blood cells primarily transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues using hemoglobin; they also carry some carbon dioxide back toward the lungs.
What does BP stand for?
What is Blood Pressure
A patient says they feel dizzy when standing. What should the MA do first?
Have the patient sit or remain seated/secure, assess for immediate safety and follow clinic protocol. Do not allow a dizzy patient to walk unassisted. Report appropriately.
What does the suffix -itis mean?
itis means inflammation.
Name the four chambers of the heart.
Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.
What happens to heart rate during most physical activity?
What is Heart rate normally increases during physical activity to deliver more oxygenated blood to working tissues.
What do HR, RR and SpO2 stand for?
HR — Heart Rate; RR — Respiratory Rate; SpO₂ — Peripheral oxygen saturation
A patient has a temperature of 39.2°C. What terminology describes this finding?
Fever/pyrexia; the patient is febrile.
Break down and define gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis: gastr/o = stomach, enter/o = intestine, -itis = inflammation. Inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
What organ stores bile?
Gallbladder
What happens during inspiration when the diaphragm contracts?
The diaphragm contracts and moves downward, increasing thoracic volume and decreasing pressure so air flows into the lungs.
What do NPO and PRN mean?
NPO — Nothing by mouth; PRN — As needed
A patient reports dysuria. What does that mean and which body system is involved?
Dysuria means painful or difficult urination. It involves the urinary system.
What is the difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia?
What is Hyperglycemia = abnormally high blood glucose. Hypoglycemia = abnormally low blood glucose.
Put these in order: bronchi, nose/mouth, alveoli, trachea, bronchioles.
Nose/mouth → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli
Why is oxygen important to body cells?
Cells require oxygen for aerobic cellular respiration, which produces ATP/energy needed for normal cellular function.
What do CBC, ECG and CXR mean?
What is CBC — Complete Blood Count; ECG — Electrocardiogram; CXR — Chest X-ray
A patient reports crushing central chest pain and appears pale and diaphoretic. Identify the immediate body-system concern and appropriate MA response.
Primary concern: cardiovascular system/possible cardiac emergency. Crushing central chest pain, pallor and diaphoresis are concerning symptoms. The MA should recognize the urgency, immediately alert the appropriate clinician/activate the clinic's emergency response, stay with the patient and follow emergency protocol—not diagnose the patient.
Define nephrolithiasis using its word parts.
Nephrolithiasis: nephr/o = kidney, lith = stone, -iasis = abnormal condition/presence. Condition involving kidney stones.
Trace urine from its formation in the kidney until it leaves the body.
Kidney/nephron → collecting ducts → renal pelvis → ureter → urinary bladder → urethra → outside the body.
If kidney function is severely reduced, name two other body functions that can be affected and explain why.
What is fluid balance, electrolyte balance, blood pressure regulation, acid-base balance, red blood cell production, and removal of metabolic wastes.
Explain why unsafe or unclear abbreviations can create a patient-safety risk.
Unclear or unsafe abbreviations can be misinterpreted, potentially resulting in medication, treatment, documentation, or communication errors and creating a patient-safety risk.
A patient is short of breath, confused and has an SpO2 of 84%. Identify three concerning findings and explain the MA's priority response.
Concerning findings include shortness of breath, confusion and SpO₂ of 84% (severe hypoxemia). This requires immediate escalation/emergency response according to clinic protocol. The MA should not leave the patient unattended or simply continue a routine appointment.