MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Ch. 1 — Word Roots & Combining Forms — Combining
Vowel Use
Stem
A student must build a term meaning "study of the heart."
Which of the following correctly constructs that term using
proper combining vowels?
A. cardiology
B. cardiology (cardi + o + logy)
C. cardiology (card + i + ology)
D. cardology
,Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: B shows the correct word parts: cardi- (word root for
heart) + -o- (combining vowel) + -logy (study of). This is the
standard construction for cardiology.
A: Although visually identical, A lacks explicit demonstration of
correct combining-vowel construction; the prompt asked for
construction.
C: "card-" is not the proper full root for heart (cardi- is
standard); placing the combining vowel incorrectly breaks
correct morphology.
D: "cardology" omits the standard root form (cardi-) and would
be considered incorrect formation.
Teaching Point
Use combining vowel -o- between root and suffix beginning
with consonant.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Suffixes — Suffixes Meaning “Surgical Removal”
,Stem
A record lists "appendectomy." Based on suffix analysis, what
does "-ectomy" indicate in this context?
A. Creation of an opening
B. Cutting into
C. Surgical removal
D. Surgical repair
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct: C — "-ectomy" denotes surgical removal;
appendectomy is removal of the appendix.
A: "-ostomy" denotes creation of a new opening, not removal.
B: "-otomy" means cutting into (incision), not complete
removal.
D: "-plasty" or "-rrhaphy" would imply repair or suture, not
removal.
Teaching Point
-ectomy = surgical removal (e.g., tonsillectomy).
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Suffixes — Distinguishing -otomy, -ostomy, -
ectomy
Stem
A patient is scheduled for a colostomy. Which best describes
what the surgeon will create?
A. A temporary incision into the colon
B. An opening from the colon to the body surface
C. Removal of part of the colon
D. Surgical repair of the colon
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: B — "-ostomy" indicates creating a new opening
(stoma) from an internal organ to the body surface.
A: That would align more with "-otomy" (cutting into), but "-
ostomy" specifically creates a stoma.
C: "-ectomy" indicates removal, not formation of an opening.
D: "-plasty" or "-rrhaphy" indicate repair, not ostomy.
Teaching Point
-ostomy = create an opening (stoma) to the body surface.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Ch. 1 — Word Roots & Combining Forms — Combining
Vowel Use
Stem
A student must build a term meaning "study of the heart."
Which of the following correctly constructs that term using
proper combining vowels?
A. cardiology
B. cardiology (cardi + o + logy)
C. cardiology (card + i + ology)
D. cardology
,Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: B shows the correct word parts: cardi- (word root for
heart) + -o- (combining vowel) + -logy (study of). This is the
standard construction for cardiology.
A: Although visually identical, A lacks explicit demonstration of
correct combining-vowel construction; the prompt asked for
construction.
C: "card-" is not the proper full root for heart (cardi- is
standard); placing the combining vowel incorrectly breaks
correct morphology.
D: "cardology" omits the standard root form (cardi-) and would
be considered incorrect formation.
Teaching Point
Use combining vowel -o- between root and suffix beginning
with consonant.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Suffixes — Suffixes Meaning “Surgical Removal”
,Stem
A record lists "appendectomy." Based on suffix analysis, what
does "-ectomy" indicate in this context?
A. Creation of an opening
B. Cutting into
C. Surgical removal
D. Surgical repair
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct: C — "-ectomy" denotes surgical removal;
appendectomy is removal of the appendix.
A: "-ostomy" denotes creation of a new opening, not removal.
B: "-otomy" means cutting into (incision), not complete
removal.
D: "-plasty" or "-rrhaphy" would imply repair or suture, not
removal.
Teaching Point
-ectomy = surgical removal (e.g., tonsillectomy).
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Suffixes — Distinguishing -otomy, -ostomy, -
ectomy
Stem
A patient is scheduled for a colostomy. Which best describes
what the surgeon will create?
A. A temporary incision into the colon
B. An opening from the colon to the body surface
C. Removal of part of the colon
D. Surgical repair of the colon
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: B — "-ostomy" indicates creating a new opening
(stoma) from an internal organ to the body surface.
A: That would align more with "-otomy" (cutting into), but "-
ostomy" specifically creates a stoma.
C: "-ectomy" indicates removal, not formation of an opening.
D: "-plasty" or "-rrhaphy" indicate repair, not ostomy.
Teaching Point
-ostomy = create an opening (stoma) to the body surface.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
