Suffix Showdown
This suffix means partial paralysis, not complete loss of movement.
👉 What is -paresis?
This root refers to blood vessels that carries blood throughout the body.
👉 What is vas/o or angi/o?
This term means disease of muscle.
👉 What is myopathy?
This term is incorrectly used to describe pain in the chest: thoracitis
👉 What is thoracalgia?
A patient with tachycardia has a heart rate that is…
👉 What is fast?
Pt c/o myalgia, HR WNL
👉 What is... the patient complains of muscle pain and heart rate is normal?
This suffix refers to the surgical suturing of tissue.
👉 What is -rrhaphy?
This root refers specifically to cartilage, not bone.
👉 What is chondr/o?
This term describes pain in a nerve.
👉 What is neuralgia?
This term is incorrectly used to describe narrowing of a vessel: vasogenesis
👉 What is vasostenosis?
A patient with hypoxia is experiencing a problem related to…
👉 What is low oxygen?
Pt admitted post fall, femoral Fx, MRI pending
👉 What is... the patient has a femur fracture and an MRI is planned?
This suffix refers to surgical fixation, not removal.
👉 What is -pexy?
This root refers to a bluish color often associated with low oxygen levels in the blood.
👉 What is cyan/o?
This term means inflammation around a joint.
👉 What is periarthritis?
This term is incorrectly used to describe an increase in red blood cells: erythropoiesis
👉 What is erythrocytosis?
A patient with melanocytosis would most likely show changes in…
👉 What is pigmented (dark) cells / skin?
Pt NPO, CT abdomen ordered to R/O mass
👉 What is... the patient cannot eat or drink and a CT scan of the abdomen was ordered to rule out a mass?
This suffix means loosening, breakdown, or destruction.
👉 What is -lysis?
This root refers to the body’s defense system and is commonly used when discussing protection against disease.
👉 What is immun/o?
This term describes the surgical suturing of a blood vessel.
👉 What is vasorrhaphy?
This term is incorrectly used to describe surgical repair of a blood vessel: vasotomy
👉 What is vasorrhaphy or vasoplasty?
A patient with atherostenosis is most at risk for problems involving…
👉 What is restricted blood flow in arteries?
Pt c/o dizziness, HR ↓, Tx initiated
👉 What is... the patient complains of dizziness, heart rate is decreased, and treatment was started?
This suffix refers to the surgical breaking of bone.
👉 What is -clasia?
This root refers to body as a whole, rather than a specific organ.
👉 What is somat/o?
This term describes the surgical crushing of a stone.
👉 What is lithotripsy?
This term is incorrectly used to describe tissue that resembles cartilage: chondritis
👉 What is chondroid?
A patient with osteoclast overactivity would experience…
👉 What is increased breakdown of bone?
Monitor I&O, BP ↓, Pt c/o CP and SOB, STAT intervention
👉 What is... monitor intake and output, blood pressure is dropping, patient has chest pain and shortness of breath, and immediate treatment is needed?