Medical Terminology Test Bank 2026 | Ann Ehrlich 9th Ed | Nursing & Allied Health MCQs

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH



TEST BANK

1. Reference: Ch. 1 — Word Roots & Combining Forms
Stem: A chart note lists the term arthr/o/pathy. Based on
the word parts, what does this term most accurately
indicate?
A. Inflammation of a joint
B. Disease of a joint
C. Surgical repair of a joint
D. Study of joints
Correct answer: B
Rationales — Correct: B. arthr/o = joint; -pathy = disease
or disorder, so arthropathy means disease of a joint. (2

, sentences)
Rationales — A: -itis (not -pathy) indicates inflammation;
arthr/itis would be correct for inflammation. (1 sentence)
Rationales — C: -plasty or -rrhaphy indicate repair or
suturing, not -pathy. (1 sentence)
Rationales — D: -logy indicates study; -pathy does not. (1
sentence)
Teaching point: -pathy = disease; -itis = inflammation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference: Ch. 1 — Prefixes & Contrasting Prefixes
Stem: A patient record lists hyperglycemia. Which prefix
analysis explains the clinical meaning?
A. hyper- (excessive) → elevated blood glucose
B. hypo- (below) → low blood glucose
C. eu- (normal) → normal blood glucose
D. tachy- (fast) → rapid blood glucose rise
Correct answer: A
Rationales — Correct: A. hyper- = excessive, glyc- = sugar, -
emia = blood condition; hyperglycemia = high blood
glucose. (2 sentences)
Rationales — B: hypo- is opposite (low); would form
hypoglycemia. (1 sentence)
Rationales — C: eu- means good/normal, not used here. (1
sentence)
Rationales — D: tachy- refers to rate/speed, not
concentration. (1 sentence)

, Teaching point: hyper- = high; hypo- = low.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Meaning “Procedure”
Stem: Which suffix would convert the root cardi/o into a
term meaning “incision into the heart”?
A. -ectomy
B. -otomy
C. -ostomy
D. -plasty
Correct answer: B
Rationales — Correct: B. -otomy means cutting into
(incision); cardiotomy = incision into the heart. (2
sentences)
Rationales — A: -ectomy = removal (cardiectomy would be
removal). (1 sentence)
Rationales — C: -ostomy = creating a permanent opening,
not a simple incision. (1 sentence)
Rationales — D: -plasty = surgical repair or reconstruction.
(1 sentence)
Teaching point: -otomy = incision; -ectomy = removal.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4. Reference: Ch. 1 — Determining Meanings by Word Parts
Stem: A student encounters derm/o/pathy in a case study.
Which is the best clinical interpretation?

, A. Infection of the skin
B. Disease of the skin
C. Instrument to view skin
D. Pain in the skin
Correct answer: B
Rationales — Correct: B. derm/o = skin; -pathy = disease;
dermopathy = disease of the skin. (2 sentences)
Rationales — A: Infection would be -itis or described as
infectious dermatitis; -pathy is broader. (1 sentence)
Rationales — C: -scope indicates instrument to view. (1
sentence)
Rationales — D: -algia indicates pain. (1 sentence)
Teaching point: Use roots + suffix to deduce meaning.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
5. Reference: Ch. 1 — Combining Vowel Use
Stem: In building the term meaning “inflammation of the
stomach” which of these forms is correct?
A. gastritis
B. gastrootis
C. gastroitis
D. gastrittis
Correct answer: C
Rationales — Correct: C. gastr/o (stomach combining
form) + -itis = gastroitis is correct formation; combining
vowel o links root to suffix starting with a vowel. (2
sentences)