Medical Terminology - Midterm Exam with Verified
Questions and Correct Answers
1. A patient presents with a condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the
pericardial cavity. Which term best describes this condition?
A. Pericarditis
B. Hydropericardium
C. Hemopericardium
D. Pericardial effusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydropericardium specifically denotes fluid (hydro-) in the pericardium. Pericarditis is
inflammation, hemopericardium is blood, and pericardial effusion is a general term that could include
various fluids but is less specific. The question asks for the term that best describes abnormal fluid
accumulation, and hydropericardium is the precise term.
2. Which of the following best describes the meaning of the suffix '-plasia' as in 'hyperplasia'?
A. Formation or growth
B. Nourishment or development
C. Condition of cells
D. Abnormal condition
Answer: A
Rationale: '-plasia' refers to formation or growth. Hyperplasia means excessive growth. '-trophy' relates
to nourishment (hypertrophy), '-cytosis' is a condition of cells, and '-osis' often indicates an abnormal
condition.
3. In the term 'cholecystectomy', which component refers to the surgical removal?
A. chole-
B. -cyst-
C. -ectomy
D. -tomy
Answer: C
Rationale: The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical removal. 'Chole-' refers to bile, '-cyst-' refers to bladder,
and '-tomy' means incision.
4. A patient is diagnosed with 'osteosarcoma'. Based on the word parts, what is the most accurate
description?
A. Malignant tumor of bone
B. Benign tumor of cartilage
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, C. Inflammation of bone and joint
D. Tumor of muscle tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Osteosarcoma: osteo- (bone) + sarcoma (malignant connective tissue tumor). Thus, it is a
malignant bone tumor. Chondrosarcoma is cartilage, osteoarthritis is inflammation, and myosarcoma is
muscle.
5. Which of the following pairs of terms are antonyms?
A. Tachycardia and bradycardia
B. Hypertension and hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Each pair consists of opposite conditions: tachycardia (fast heart) vs bradycardia (slow),
hypertension (high pressure) vs hypotension (low), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) vs hypoglycemia
(low). Thus, all are antonyms.
6. What is the correct term for inflammation of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity?
A. Peritonitis
B. Pleuritis
C. Meningitis
D. Carditis
Answer: A
Rationale: Peritonitis: peritoneum (abdominal lining) + -itis (inflammation). Pleuritis is inflammation of
the pleura (chest), meningitis is of the meninges (brain/spinal cord), and carditis is of the heart.
7. A patient has 'hemiparesis'. Which of the following is true?
A. Paralysis of one side of the body
B. Weakness of one side of the body
C. Paralysis of both legs
D. Loss of sensation on one side
Answer: B
Rationale: Hemi- (half) + -paresis (weakness) = weakness on one side. Paralysis is '-plegia'. Paraplegia
is paralysis of both legs. '-esthesia' relates to sensation.
8. Which term describes a surgical puncture to remove fluid from the chest cavity?
A. Thoracocentesis
B. Thoracotomy
C. Thoracostomy
D. Thoracoplasty
Answer: A
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Questions and Correct Answers
1. A patient presents with a condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the
pericardial cavity. Which term best describes this condition?
A. Pericarditis
B. Hydropericardium
C. Hemopericardium
D. Pericardial effusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydropericardium specifically denotes fluid (hydro-) in the pericardium. Pericarditis is
inflammation, hemopericardium is blood, and pericardial effusion is a general term that could include
various fluids but is less specific. The question asks for the term that best describes abnormal fluid
accumulation, and hydropericardium is the precise term.
2. Which of the following best describes the meaning of the suffix '-plasia' as in 'hyperplasia'?
A. Formation or growth
B. Nourishment or development
C. Condition of cells
D. Abnormal condition
Answer: A
Rationale: '-plasia' refers to formation or growth. Hyperplasia means excessive growth. '-trophy' relates
to nourishment (hypertrophy), '-cytosis' is a condition of cells, and '-osis' often indicates an abnormal
condition.
3. In the term 'cholecystectomy', which component refers to the surgical removal?
A. chole-
B. -cyst-
C. -ectomy
D. -tomy
Answer: C
Rationale: The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical removal. 'Chole-' refers to bile, '-cyst-' refers to bladder,
and '-tomy' means incision.
4. A patient is diagnosed with 'osteosarcoma'. Based on the word parts, what is the most accurate
description?
A. Malignant tumor of bone
B. Benign tumor of cartilage
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, C. Inflammation of bone and joint
D. Tumor of muscle tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Osteosarcoma: osteo- (bone) + sarcoma (malignant connective tissue tumor). Thus, it is a
malignant bone tumor. Chondrosarcoma is cartilage, osteoarthritis is inflammation, and myosarcoma is
muscle.
5. Which of the following pairs of terms are antonyms?
A. Tachycardia and bradycardia
B. Hypertension and hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Each pair consists of opposite conditions: tachycardia (fast heart) vs bradycardia (slow),
hypertension (high pressure) vs hypotension (low), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) vs hypoglycemia
(low). Thus, all are antonyms.
6. What is the correct term for inflammation of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity?
A. Peritonitis
B. Pleuritis
C. Meningitis
D. Carditis
Answer: A
Rationale: Peritonitis: peritoneum (abdominal lining) + -itis (inflammation). Pleuritis is inflammation of
the pleura (chest), meningitis is of the meninges (brain/spinal cord), and carditis is of the heart.
7. A patient has 'hemiparesis'. Which of the following is true?
A. Paralysis of one side of the body
B. Weakness of one side of the body
C. Paralysis of both legs
D. Loss of sensation on one side
Answer: B
Rationale: Hemi- (half) + -paresis (weakness) = weakness on one side. Paralysis is '-plegia'. Paraplegia
is paralysis of both legs. '-esthesia' relates to sensation.
8. Which term describes a surgical puncture to remove fluid from the chest cavity?
A. Thoracocentesis
B. Thoracotomy
C. Thoracostomy
D. Thoracoplasty
Answer: A
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