MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Primary Medical Terms; Word Parts
Stem: A nurse encounters the term cardiology in a chart. Using
word parts, which choice correctly identifies the root and suffix
meaning?
A. cardi- (heart) + -ology (study of)
B. cardio- (heart) + -itis (inflammation of)
C. cardi- (heart) + -otomy (cutting into)
D. cardio- (heart) + -algia (pain in)
Correct answer: A
Rationales
, • Correct Option: cardi- (word root meaning heart) + -ology
(suffix meaning “study of”) combine to form cardiology
(study of the heart). This follows the rule of reading the
suffix last for meaning.
• Incorrect Options:
A: (N/A — correct).
B: -itis means inflammation; cardi- + -itis would be carditis
(cardiitis) not cardiology.
C: -otomy means surgical incision; cardiotomy would mean
cutting into the heart, not study of it.
D: -algia means pain; cardioalgia would mean heart pain,
which is not cardiology.
Teaching point: Read suffix last; -ology = study of.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Word Roots; Combining Forms Vowels
Stem: Which of the following explains why a combining vowel
(usually -o-) is used between two roots (e.g., gastroenterology)?
A. To create plural forms of compound words
B. To make pronunciation easier when joining roots
C. To change the meaning of the root entirely
D. To indicate past tense of the term
Correct answer: B
Rationales
, • Correct Option: Combining vowels make pronunciation
smoother when two roots are joined (gastro- + enter- + -
ology → gastroenterology).
• Incorrect Options:
A: Combining vowels are not used to form plurals.
C: They do not change core meaning of roots, only ease
combining.
D: Medical terms do not use combining vowels to indicate
tense.
Teaching point: Use -o- to link roots and aid pronunciation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes as Noun Endings; Suffixes Meaning
“Abnormal Condition”
Stem: A chart lists nephrosis. Break down the term to identify
what -osis denotes in this context.
A. Surgical removal
B. Abnormal condition or disease
C. Inflammation
D. Study of
Correct answer: B
Rationales
, • Correct Option: The suffix -osis denotes an abnormal
condition or disease; nephrosis refers to a kidney disorder.
• Incorrect Options:
A: -ectomy indicates surgical removal, not -osis.
C: -itis denotes inflammation, not -osis.
D: -ology denotes study, not abnormal condition.
Teaching point: -osis = abnormal condition or disease.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Related to Procedures; The “Double
R” Suffixes
Stem: A patient is scheduled for a colostomy. Which suffix best
describes the procedure being performed?
A. -otomy: cutting into
B. -ectomy: surgical removal
C. -ostomy: forming an opening (stoma)
D. -scopy: visual examination
Correct answer: C
Rationales
• Correct Option: -ostomy indicates creating a new opening
to the body’s surface (colostomy creates an opening from
colon to abdominal wall).
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Primary Medical Terms; Word Parts
Stem: A nurse encounters the term cardiology in a chart. Using
word parts, which choice correctly identifies the root and suffix
meaning?
A. cardi- (heart) + -ology (study of)
B. cardio- (heart) + -itis (inflammation of)
C. cardi- (heart) + -otomy (cutting into)
D. cardio- (heart) + -algia (pain in)
Correct answer: A
Rationales
, • Correct Option: cardi- (word root meaning heart) + -ology
(suffix meaning “study of”) combine to form cardiology
(study of the heart). This follows the rule of reading the
suffix last for meaning.
• Incorrect Options:
A: (N/A — correct).
B: -itis means inflammation; cardi- + -itis would be carditis
(cardiitis) not cardiology.
C: -otomy means surgical incision; cardiotomy would mean
cutting into the heart, not study of it.
D: -algia means pain; cardioalgia would mean heart pain,
which is not cardiology.
Teaching point: Read suffix last; -ology = study of.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Word Roots; Combining Forms Vowels
Stem: Which of the following explains why a combining vowel
(usually -o-) is used between two roots (e.g., gastroenterology)?
A. To create plural forms of compound words
B. To make pronunciation easier when joining roots
C. To change the meaning of the root entirely
D. To indicate past tense of the term
Correct answer: B
Rationales
, • Correct Option: Combining vowels make pronunciation
smoother when two roots are joined (gastro- + enter- + -
ology → gastroenterology).
• Incorrect Options:
A: Combining vowels are not used to form plurals.
C: They do not change core meaning of roots, only ease
combining.
D: Medical terms do not use combining vowels to indicate
tense.
Teaching point: Use -o- to link roots and aid pronunciation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes as Noun Endings; Suffixes Meaning
“Abnormal Condition”
Stem: A chart lists nephrosis. Break down the term to identify
what -osis denotes in this context.
A. Surgical removal
B. Abnormal condition or disease
C. Inflammation
D. Study of
Correct answer: B
Rationales
, • Correct Option: The suffix -osis denotes an abnormal
condition or disease; nephrosis refers to a kidney disorder.
• Incorrect Options:
A: -ectomy indicates surgical removal, not -osis.
C: -itis denotes inflammation, not -osis.
D: -ology denotes study, not abnormal condition.
Teaching point: -osis = abnormal condition or disease.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Related to Procedures; The “Double
R” Suffixes
Stem: A patient is scheduled for a colostomy. Which suffix best
describes the procedure being performed?
A. -otomy: cutting into
B. -ectomy: surgical removal
C. -ostomy: forming an opening (stoma)
D. -scopy: visual examination
Correct answer: C
Rationales
• Correct Option: -ostomy indicates creating a new opening
to the body’s surface (colostomy creates an opening from
colon to abdominal wall).
