Terminology
Illnesses
Careers
Myths
Case Studies
100

This prefix means “fast” or “rapid.”

What is tachy-?

100

This common viral illness causes sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose—most people recover in 7–10 days.

What is the common cold?

100

This medical professional checks your eyes, prescribes glasses, and diagnoses vision problems.

What is an optometrist?

100

True or False: You only use 10% of your brain.

What is false? (You use nearly all parts of your brain.)

100

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?

200

This suffix refers to “inflammation,” as in arthritis or bronchitis.

What is -itis?

200

This chronic condition affects how your body processes blood sugar and often requires insulin or other medication.

What is diabetes?

200

This person assists doctors and cares for patients, and may hold an RN or LPN license.

What is a nurse?

200

This sweet substance is often blamed for making kids hyper—but studies show no solid evidence to support it.

What is sugar?

200

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)?

300

The term cardiomegaly refers to this condition involving the heart.

What is an enlarged heart?

300

This respiratory illness, often triggered by allergens or exercise, can cause wheezing and shortness of breath.

What is asthma?

300

This career requires a doctoral degree and allows you to perform surgery and diagnose illnesses.

What is a physician (or surgeon)?

300

Cracking your knuckles causes this painful joint condition—or so the myth says.

What is arthritis? (Actually, cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis.)

300

A young adult presents with extreme thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. Blood glucose is 350 mg/dL.

What is Type 1 diabetes?

400

This root word means “blood,” and appears in terms like hemorrhage and hemoglobin.

What is hemo- or hema-?

400

This autoimmune disease causes the immune system to attack the joints, leading to inflammation and pain.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

400

This healthcare worker operates X-ray machines, MRIs, or CT scanners to help diagnose injuries.

What is a radiologic technologist?

400

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?

400

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)?

500

The term nephrolithiasis refers to this painful condition.

What are kidney stones?

500

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)?

500

This specialist studies human movement to help patients recover from injury or surgery—often through exercise.

What is a physical therapist?

500

Despite popular belief, this vaccine does not cause autism—a myth based on a discredited study.

What is the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)?

500

A college student returns from a hiking trip with fever, headache, muscle aches, and a bullseye rash.

What is Lyme disease?