MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology —
Word Roots & Combining Forms
Stem: A nurse encounters the term cardiomyopathy in a patient
chart. Using word parts, which is the best analysis of this term?
Options:
A. Inflammation of the heart muscle
B. Disease of the heart muscle
C. Surgical repair of the heart muscle
D. Study of the heart muscle
,Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Cardi/o = heart (combining form); my/o =
muscle; -pathy = disease — together: disease of heart
muscle.
• Incorrect (A): -itis would indicate inflammation; -pathy
indicates disease, not inflammation.
• Incorrect (C): -plasty indicates surgical repair; not present.
• Incorrect (D): -logy indicates study of; not present.
Teaching Point: -pathy = disease; -itis = inflammation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction — Combining Vowel Use
Stem: Which option explains why the combining vowel appears
in gastroenterology but not in osteotomy?
Options:
A. Combining vowels appear only when the suffix starts with a
consonant.
B. Combining vowels are mandatory between any two word
roots.
C. Combining vowels are dropped when the suffix begins with a
vowel.
D. Combining vowels are used only in anatomical terms.
,Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): When a suffix begins with a vowel (e.g., -
ology), the combining vowel after the root is not needed;
however, combining vowels remain when joining roots
(gastro + enter + -ology uses vowels).
• Incorrect (A): Combining vowels are not restricted to
consonant-starting suffixes only; rule depends on
vowel/consonant.
• Incorrect (B): They are common but not mandatory in
every root-suffix combination (dropped when suffix starts
with vowel).
• Incorrect (D): Combining vowels apply broadly, not only
anatomical terms.
Teaching Point: Drop combining vowel if suffix begins with
a vowel.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes — Noun Endings and Meaning
Stem: A chart lists nephrectomy as a planned procedure. Break
down the term and select the best interpretation.
Options:
A. Creation of an artificial kidney opening
, B. Surgical removal of a kidney
C. Incision into a kidney for drainage
D. Study of kidney disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Nephr/o = kidney; -ectomy = surgical removal
— surgical removal of a kidney.
• Incorrect (A): -ostomy indicates creation of an opening;
not present.
• Incorrect (C): -otomy means incision; not removal.
• Incorrect (D): -logy would denote study; not present.
Teaching Point: -ectomy = surgical removal (excision).
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Prefixes — Determining Direction/Position
Stem: On a physical exam note the term subcutaneous appears.
Analyze the prefix and select the best definition.
Options:
A. Above the skin
B. Within the skin layers
C. Beneath the skin
D. Around the skin
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology —
Word Roots & Combining Forms
Stem: A nurse encounters the term cardiomyopathy in a patient
chart. Using word parts, which is the best analysis of this term?
Options:
A. Inflammation of the heart muscle
B. Disease of the heart muscle
C. Surgical repair of the heart muscle
D. Study of the heart muscle
,Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Cardi/o = heart (combining form); my/o =
muscle; -pathy = disease — together: disease of heart
muscle.
• Incorrect (A): -itis would indicate inflammation; -pathy
indicates disease, not inflammation.
• Incorrect (C): -plasty indicates surgical repair; not present.
• Incorrect (D): -logy indicates study of; not present.
Teaching Point: -pathy = disease; -itis = inflammation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction — Combining Vowel Use
Stem: Which option explains why the combining vowel appears
in gastroenterology but not in osteotomy?
Options:
A. Combining vowels appear only when the suffix starts with a
consonant.
B. Combining vowels are mandatory between any two word
roots.
C. Combining vowels are dropped when the suffix begins with a
vowel.
D. Combining vowels are used only in anatomical terms.
,Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): When a suffix begins with a vowel (e.g., -
ology), the combining vowel after the root is not needed;
however, combining vowels remain when joining roots
(gastro + enter + -ology uses vowels).
• Incorrect (A): Combining vowels are not restricted to
consonant-starting suffixes only; rule depends on
vowel/consonant.
• Incorrect (B): They are common but not mandatory in
every root-suffix combination (dropped when suffix starts
with vowel).
• Incorrect (D): Combining vowels apply broadly, not only
anatomical terms.
Teaching Point: Drop combining vowel if suffix begins with
a vowel.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes — Noun Endings and Meaning
Stem: A chart lists nephrectomy as a planned procedure. Break
down the term and select the best interpretation.
Options:
A. Creation of an artificial kidney opening
, B. Surgical removal of a kidney
C. Incision into a kidney for drainage
D. Study of kidney disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Nephr/o = kidney; -ectomy = surgical removal
— surgical removal of a kidney.
• Incorrect (A): -ostomy indicates creation of an opening;
not present.
• Incorrect (C): -otomy means incision; not removal.
• Incorrect (D): -logy would denote study; not present.
Teaching Point: -ectomy = surgical removal (excision).
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Prefixes — Determining Direction/Position
Stem: On a physical exam note the term subcutaneous appears.
Analyze the prefix and select the best definition.
Options:
A. Above the skin
B. Within the skin layers
C. Beneath the skin
D. Around the skin
