Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Preparation
Question 1
A patient's medical record documents "hepatomegaly." The nurse understands this condition involves:
A) Inflammation of the liver
B) Enlargement of the liver
C) Surgical removal of the liver
D) Pain in the liver
Correct Answer: B) Enlargement of the liver
Detailed Rationale:
"Hepatomegaly" is composed of three word parts:
- Hepat/o = liver
- -megaly = enlargement
- -y = condition/process
Therefore, hepatomegaly literally means "condition of liver enlargement." This is a common finding in conditions
such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and certain malignancies. Nurses assess for
hepatomegaly through palpation and percussion during abdominal assessment, typically finding the liver edge
below the right costal margin.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Inflammation of the liver: This describes "hepatitis" (hepat/o = liver, -itis = inflammation).
- C) Surgical removal of the liver: This describes "hepatectomy" (hepat/o = liver, -ectomy = surgical removal).
- D) Pain in the liver: This describes "hepatodynia" or "hepataglia" (hepat/o = liver, -dynia/-algia = pain).
Question 2
The nurse is reviewing a prescription for "sublingual nitroglycerin." The nurse correctly identifies that this
medication is administered:
A) Under the tongue
B) Beneath the skin
C) Into the muscle
D) By mouth
Correct Answer: A) Under the tongue
Detailed Rationale:
"Sublingual" breaks down as:
- Sub- = under, beneath
- Lingu/o = tongue
- -al = pertaining to
Sublingual administration allows for rapid absorption of medication through the highly vascular mucous
membranes under the tongue, bypassing the hepatic first-pass effect. This route is critical for nitroglycerin in
treating angina because it provides rapid symptom relief (within 1–3 minutes).
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Beneath the skin: This describes "subcutaneous" (sub- = under, cutane/o = skin).
- C) Into the muscle: This describes "intramuscular" (intra- = within, muscul/o = muscle).
- D) By mouth: This describes "oral" (or/o = mouth, -al = pertaining to).
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 1
, Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
Question 3
A patient is diagnosed with "nephritis." The nurse understands this condition affects the:
A) Nerves
B) Kidneys
C) Liver
D) Lungs
Correct Answer: B) Kidneys
Detailed Rationale:
"Nephritis" is composed of:
- Nephr/o = kidney
- -itis = inflammation
Nephritis refers to inflammation of the kidney(s). It can be acute or chronic and may involve the glomeruli,
tubules, or interstitial tissue. Common causes include infection, autoimmune disorders, and certain
medications. Nurses monitor for hematuria, proteinuria, edema, and hypertension in patients with nephritis.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Nerves: Inflammation of nerves is "neuritis" (neur/o = nerve, -itis = inflammation).
- C) Liver: Inflammation of the liver is "hepatitis" (hepat/o = liver, -itis = inflammation).
- D) Lungs: Inflammation of the lungs is "pneumonitis" or "pneumonia" (pneumon/o = lung, -itis =
inflammation).
Question 4
The medical term "dysphagia" is documented in a patient's chart. The nurse correctly interprets this as:
A) Difficulty speaking
B) Difficulty swallowing
C) Painful eating
D) Absence of appetite
Correct Answer: B) Difficulty swallowing
Detailed Rationale:
"Dysphagia" is composed of:
- Dys- = difficult, painful, abnormal
- phag/o = eating, swallowing
- -ia = condition
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing and is a critical nursing concern because it places patients at risk for
aspiration, malnutrition, and dehydration. It is commonly seen in patients with stroke, Parkinson's disease,
esophageal strictures, and head/neck cancers. Nurses must implement aspiration precautions and may
consult speech-language pathology.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Difficulty speaking: This describes "dysphasia" (dys- = difficult, phas/o = speech). Note: "Dysarthria"
refers to difficulty articulating words due to muscle weakness.
- C) Painful eating: This describes "odynophagia" (odyn/o = pain, phag/o = swallowing).
- D) Absence of appetite: This describes "anorexia" (an- = without, orex/o = appetite).
Question 5
A patient's lab report indicates "leukocytosis." The nurse understands this finding means:
A) Decreased white blood cells
B) Increased white blood cells
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 2
, Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
C) Decreased red blood cells
D) Increased red blood cells
Correct Answer: B) Increased white blood cells
Detailed Rationale:
"Leukocytosis" breaks down as:
- Leuk/o = white
- -cyt/o = cell
- -osis = abnormal increase, condition
Leukocytosis refers to an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells (WBCs). It is commonly seen in
bacterial infections, inflammation, tissue necrosis, leukemia, and stress responses. The normal WBC range is
approximately 4,500–11,000/mm³. Nurses monitor WBC counts to assess for infection and response to
treatment.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Decreased white blood cells: This describes "leukopenia" (leuk/o = white, -penia = deficiency).
- C) Decreased red blood cells: This describes "erythropenia" or is part of "anemia" (an- = without, -emia =
blood condition).
- D) Increased red blood cells: This describes "erythrocytosis" or "polycythemia" (erythr/o = red, -cytosis =
increase in cells).
Question 6
The term "cardiomegaly" is noted on a patient's chest X-ray report. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Enlargement of the heart
B) Inflammation of the heart
C) Rapid heart rate
D) Irregular heart rhythm
Correct Answer: A) Enlargement of the heart
Detailed Rationale:
"Cardiomegaly" is composed of:
- Cardi/o = heart
- -megaly = enlargement
Cardiomegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the heart. It can result from hypertension, heart failure,
cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, or myocarditis. On chest X-ray, it is often identified by an increased
cardiothoracic ratio (greater than 50%). Nurses assess for signs of heart failure, including edema, dyspnea, and
fatigue.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Inflammation of the heart: This describes "carditis" or "myocarditis" (cardi/o or my/o = heart/muscle, -itis
= inflammation).
- C) Rapid heart rate: This describes "tachycardia" (tachy- = fast, cardi/o = heart, -ia = condition).
- D) Irregular heart rhythm: This describes "arrhythmia" or "dysrhythmia" (a- = without, or dys- = abnormal,
rhythm/o = rhythm).
Question 7
A patient is scheduled for a "cholecystectomy." The nurse understands this procedure involves removal of the:
A) Gallbladder
B) Appendix
C) Spleen
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 3
, Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
D) Colon
Correct Answer: A) Gallbladder
Detailed Rationale:
"Cholecystectomy" breaks down as:
- Cholecyst/o = gallbladder
- -ectomy = surgical removal/excision
Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, most commonly performed laparoscopically for
symptomatic cholelithiasis (gallstones), cholecystitis, or biliary dyskinesia. Post-operative nursing care
includes monitoring for bile leakage, managing pain, and educating the patient about dietary modifications
(low-fat diet).
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Appendix: Removal of the appendix is "appendectomy" (append/o = appendix, -ectomy = removal).
- C) Spleen: Removal of the spleen is "splenectomy" (splen/o = spleen, -ectomy = removal).
- D) Colon: Removal of the colon is "colectomy" (col/o = colon, -ectomy = removal).
Question 8
The nurse documents "hematuria" in a patient's assessment. This finding indicates:
A) Blood in the urine
B) Protein in the urine
C) Glucose in the urine
D) Pus in the urine
Correct Answer: A) Blood in the urine
Detailed Rationale:
"Hematuria" is composed of:
- Hemat/o = blood
- -uria = urine condition
Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine. It can be gross (visible to the naked eye) or microscopic
(detected only on urinalysis). Causes include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, glomerulonephritis,
trauma, and urologic malignancies. Nurses should monitor for changes in urine color and report findings
promptly.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Protein in the urine: This describes "proteinuria" (protein/o = protein, -uria = urine condition).
- C) Glucose in the urine: This describes "glycosuria" (glyc/o = sugar, -uria = urine condition).
- D) Pus in the urine: This describes "pyuria" (py/o = pus, -uria = urine condition).
Question 9
A patient with a history of "myocardial infarction" asks the nurse what this means. The nurse's best response is:
A) "You had inflammation of the heart muscle."
B) "You had death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of blood flow."
C) "You had a spasm of the heart muscle."
D) "You had an infection of the heart muscle."
Correct Answer: B) "You had death of heart
muscle tissue due to lack of blood flow."
Detailed Rationale:
"Myocardial infarction" (MI) is composed of:
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 4
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Preparation
Question 1
A patient's medical record documents "hepatomegaly." The nurse understands this condition involves:
A) Inflammation of the liver
B) Enlargement of the liver
C) Surgical removal of the liver
D) Pain in the liver
Correct Answer: B) Enlargement of the liver
Detailed Rationale:
"Hepatomegaly" is composed of three word parts:
- Hepat/o = liver
- -megaly = enlargement
- -y = condition/process
Therefore, hepatomegaly literally means "condition of liver enlargement." This is a common finding in conditions
such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and certain malignancies. Nurses assess for
hepatomegaly through palpation and percussion during abdominal assessment, typically finding the liver edge
below the right costal margin.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Inflammation of the liver: This describes "hepatitis" (hepat/o = liver, -itis = inflammation).
- C) Surgical removal of the liver: This describes "hepatectomy" (hepat/o = liver, -ectomy = surgical removal).
- D) Pain in the liver: This describes "hepatodynia" or "hepataglia" (hepat/o = liver, -dynia/-algia = pain).
Question 2
The nurse is reviewing a prescription for "sublingual nitroglycerin." The nurse correctly identifies that this
medication is administered:
A) Under the tongue
B) Beneath the skin
C) Into the muscle
D) By mouth
Correct Answer: A) Under the tongue
Detailed Rationale:
"Sublingual" breaks down as:
- Sub- = under, beneath
- Lingu/o = tongue
- -al = pertaining to
Sublingual administration allows for rapid absorption of medication through the highly vascular mucous
membranes under the tongue, bypassing the hepatic first-pass effect. This route is critical for nitroglycerin in
treating angina because it provides rapid symptom relief (within 1–3 minutes).
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Beneath the skin: This describes "subcutaneous" (sub- = under, cutane/o = skin).
- C) Into the muscle: This describes "intramuscular" (intra- = within, muscul/o = muscle).
- D) By mouth: This describes "oral" (or/o = mouth, -al = pertaining to).
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 1
, Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
Question 3
A patient is diagnosed with "nephritis." The nurse understands this condition affects the:
A) Nerves
B) Kidneys
C) Liver
D) Lungs
Correct Answer: B) Kidneys
Detailed Rationale:
"Nephritis" is composed of:
- Nephr/o = kidney
- -itis = inflammation
Nephritis refers to inflammation of the kidney(s). It can be acute or chronic and may involve the glomeruli,
tubules, or interstitial tissue. Common causes include infection, autoimmune disorders, and certain
medications. Nurses monitor for hematuria, proteinuria, edema, and hypertension in patients with nephritis.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Nerves: Inflammation of nerves is "neuritis" (neur/o = nerve, -itis = inflammation).
- C) Liver: Inflammation of the liver is "hepatitis" (hepat/o = liver, -itis = inflammation).
- D) Lungs: Inflammation of the lungs is "pneumonitis" or "pneumonia" (pneumon/o = lung, -itis =
inflammation).
Question 4
The medical term "dysphagia" is documented in a patient's chart. The nurse correctly interprets this as:
A) Difficulty speaking
B) Difficulty swallowing
C) Painful eating
D) Absence of appetite
Correct Answer: B) Difficulty swallowing
Detailed Rationale:
"Dysphagia" is composed of:
- Dys- = difficult, painful, abnormal
- phag/o = eating, swallowing
- -ia = condition
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing and is a critical nursing concern because it places patients at risk for
aspiration, malnutrition, and dehydration. It is commonly seen in patients with stroke, Parkinson's disease,
esophageal strictures, and head/neck cancers. Nurses must implement aspiration precautions and may
consult speech-language pathology.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Difficulty speaking: This describes "dysphasia" (dys- = difficult, phas/o = speech). Note: "Dysarthria"
refers to difficulty articulating words due to muscle weakness.
- C) Painful eating: This describes "odynophagia" (odyn/o = pain, phag/o = swallowing).
- D) Absence of appetite: This describes "anorexia" (an- = without, orex/o = appetite).
Question 5
A patient's lab report indicates "leukocytosis." The nurse understands this finding means:
A) Decreased white blood cells
B) Increased white blood cells
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 2
, Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
C) Decreased red blood cells
D) Increased red blood cells
Correct Answer: B) Increased white blood cells
Detailed Rationale:
"Leukocytosis" breaks down as:
- Leuk/o = white
- -cyt/o = cell
- -osis = abnormal increase, condition
Leukocytosis refers to an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells (WBCs). It is commonly seen in
bacterial infections, inflammation, tissue necrosis, leukemia, and stress responses. The normal WBC range is
approximately 4,500–11,000/mm³. Nurses monitor WBC counts to assess for infection and response to
treatment.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Decreased white blood cells: This describes "leukopenia" (leuk/o = white, -penia = deficiency).
- C) Decreased red blood cells: This describes "erythropenia" or is part of "anemia" (an- = without, -emia =
blood condition).
- D) Increased red blood cells: This describes "erythrocytosis" or "polycythemia" (erythr/o = red, -cytosis =
increase in cells).
Question 6
The term "cardiomegaly" is noted on a patient's chest X-ray report. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Enlargement of the heart
B) Inflammation of the heart
C) Rapid heart rate
D) Irregular heart rhythm
Correct Answer: A) Enlargement of the heart
Detailed Rationale:
"Cardiomegaly" is composed of:
- Cardi/o = heart
- -megaly = enlargement
Cardiomegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the heart. It can result from hypertension, heart failure,
cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, or myocarditis. On chest X-ray, it is often identified by an increased
cardiothoracic ratio (greater than 50%). Nurses assess for signs of heart failure, including edema, dyspnea, and
fatigue.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Inflammation of the heart: This describes "carditis" or "myocarditis" (cardi/o or my/o = heart/muscle, -itis
= inflammation).
- C) Rapid heart rate: This describes "tachycardia" (tachy- = fast, cardi/o = heart, -ia = condition).
- D) Irregular heart rhythm: This describes "arrhythmia" or "dysrhythmia" (a- = without, or dys- = abnormal,
rhythm/o = rhythm).
Question 7
A patient is scheduled for a "cholecystectomy." The nurse understands this procedure involves removal of the:
A) Gallbladder
B) Appendix
C) Spleen
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 3
, Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review
D) Colon
Correct Answer: A) Gallbladder
Detailed Rationale:
"Cholecystectomy" breaks down as:
- Cholecyst/o = gallbladder
- -ectomy = surgical removal/excision
Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, most commonly performed laparoscopically for
symptomatic cholelithiasis (gallstones), cholecystitis, or biliary dyskinesia. Post-operative nursing care
includes monitoring for bile leakage, managing pain, and educating the patient about dietary modifications
(low-fat diet).
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Appendix: Removal of the appendix is "appendectomy" (append/o = appendix, -ectomy = removal).
- C) Spleen: Removal of the spleen is "splenectomy" (splen/o = spleen, -ectomy = removal).
- D) Colon: Removal of the colon is "colectomy" (col/o = colon, -ectomy = removal).
Question 8
The nurse documents "hematuria" in a patient's assessment. This finding indicates:
A) Blood in the urine
B) Protein in the urine
C) Glucose in the urine
D) Pus in the urine
Correct Answer: A) Blood in the urine
Detailed Rationale:
"Hematuria" is composed of:
- Hemat/o = blood
- -uria = urine condition
Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine. It can be gross (visible to the naked eye) or microscopic
(detected only on urinalysis). Causes include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, glomerulonephritis,
trauma, and urologic malignancies. Nurses should monitor for changes in urine color and report findings
promptly.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B) Protein in the urine: This describes "proteinuria" (protein/o = protein, -uria = urine condition).
- C) Glucose in the urine: This describes "glycosuria" (glyc/o = sugar, -uria = urine condition).
- D) Pus in the urine: This describes "pyuria" (py/o = pus, -uria = urine condition).
Question 9
A patient with a history of "myocardial infarction" asks the nurse what this means. The nurse's best response is:
A) "You had inflammation of the heart muscle."
B) "You had death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of blood flow."
C) "You had a spasm of the heart muscle."
D) "You had an infection of the heart muscle."
Correct Answer: B) "You had death of heart
muscle tissue due to lack of blood flow."
Detailed Rationale:
"Myocardial infarction" (MI) is composed of:
Medical Terminology Comprehensive Review | Practice Resource • Page 4
