Terminology
This prefix means “fast” or “rapid.”
What is tachy-?
This common viral illness causes sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose—most people recover in 7–10 days.
What is the common cold?
This medical professional checks your eyes, prescribes glasses, and diagnoses vision problems.
What is an optometrist?
True or False: You only use 10% of your brain.
What is false? (You use nearly all parts of your brain.)
A 7-year-old comes in with a sore throat, fever, and white patches on the tonsils. A rapid strep test is positive.
What is strep throat?
This suffix refers to “inflammation,” as in arthritis or bronchitis.
What is -itis?
This chronic condition affects how your body processes blood sugar and often requires insulin or other medication.
What is diabetes?
This person assists doctors and cares for patients, and may hold an RN or LPN license.
What is a nurse?
This sweet substance is often blamed for making kids hyper—but studies show no solid evidence to support it.
What is sugar?
A 65-year-old smoker has a chronic cough, shortness of breath, and barrel-shaped chest. The most likely diagnosis?
What is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)?
The term cardiomegaly refers to this condition involving the heart.
What is an enlarged heart?
This respiratory illness, often triggered by allergens or exercise, can cause wheezing and shortness of breath.
What is asthma?
This career requires a doctoral degree and allows you to perform surgery and diagnose illnesses.
What is a physician (or surgeon)?
Cracking your knuckles causes this painful joint condition—or so the myth says.
What is arthritis? (Actually, cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis.)
A young adult presents with extreme thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. Blood glucose is 350 mg/dL.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
This root word means “blood,” and appears in terms like hemorrhage and hemoglobin.
What is hemo- or hema-?
This autoimmune disease causes the immune system to attack the joints, leading to inflammation and pain.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
This healthcare worker operates X-ray machines, MRIs, or CT scanners to help diagnose injuries.
What is a radiologic technologist?
Starving a fever and feeding a cold is not medically sound. Instead, you should do this when you’re sick.
What is stay hydrated and eat as tolerated?
A woman has a butterfly-shaped rash on her face, joint pain, and fatigue. Labs show positive ANA.
What is lupus (SLE – systemic lupus erythematosus)?
The term nephrolithiasis refers to this painful condition.
What are kidney stones?
Known as the “silent killer,” this condition often has no symptoms but increases risk of heart disease and stroke.
What is hypertension (or high blood pressure)?
This specialist studies human movement to help patients recover from injury or surgery—often through exercise.
What is a physical therapist?
Despite popular belief, this vaccine does not cause autism—a myth based on a discredited study.
What is the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)?
A college student returns from a hiking trip with fever, headache, muscle aches, and a bullseye rash.
What is Lyme disease?