MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Word Roots & Combining Forms
Stem: A medical term is written as hepat/o/megaly. Identify the
role of the combining vowel in this construction.
A. It shows the suffix is possessive.
B. It connects the word root to another root or suffix for
pronunciation.
C. It indicates the term is plural.
D. It changes the meaning of the root to its opposite.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
, • Correct (B): The combining vowel (usually “o”) links a root
to a suffix or another root to ease pronunciation without
altering the root’s meaning. This is why hepat/o/megaly
uses “o.”
• A: Incorrect — combining vowels do not convey
grammatical ownership.
• C: Incorrect — pluralization is handled by suffix changes,
not the combining vowel.
• D: Incorrect — prefixes, not combining vowels, modify
meaning to the opposite.
Teaching Point: Combining vowels connect parts for easier
pronunciation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Meaning “Pertaining To”
Stem: Which suffix in the options below best completes the
term bacteri/o___ to mean “pertaining to bacteria”?
A. -itis
B. -plasty
C. -ic
D. -oma
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
, • Correct (C): The suffix -ic forms adjectives meaning
“pertaining to”; bacteri/o + -ic = bacteriologic (pertaining
to bacteria).
• A: -itis indicates inflammation, not “pertaining to.”
• B: -plasty means surgical repair.
• D: -oma denotes a tumor; not an adjective meaning
“pertaining to.”
Teaching Point: Suffix -ic commonly creates “pertaining to”
adjectives.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Meaning “Abnormal Condition or
Disease”
Stem: A chart lists “dermatosis.” Based on word parts, which
meaning is best?
A. Inflammation of the skin.
B. Surgical removal of skin.
C. Abnormal condition of the skin.
D. Study of the skin.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): The suffix -osis means an abnormal condition;
dermat/o + -osis = dermatosis (abnormal skin condition).
, • A: -itis would indicate inflammation, not -osis.
• B: -ectomy indicates surgical removal; not present here.
• D: -ology or -logy would indicate study, not -osis.
Teaching Point: -osis = abnormal condition; -itis =
inflammation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Related to Procedures
Stem: Which suffix would correctly complete the term that
means “visual examination of the joint”?
A. -scopy
B. -otomy
C. -ectomy
D. -pathy
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
• Correct (A): -scopy means visual examination; arthr/o + -
scopy = arthroscopy (visual exam of a joint).
• B: -otomy means cutting into; not a visual exam.
• C: -ectomy means surgical removal.
• D: -pathy indicates disease; not a procedure.
Teaching Point: -scopy = visual examination; common in
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Word Roots & Combining Forms
Stem: A medical term is written as hepat/o/megaly. Identify the
role of the combining vowel in this construction.
A. It shows the suffix is possessive.
B. It connects the word root to another root or suffix for
pronunciation.
C. It indicates the term is plural.
D. It changes the meaning of the root to its opposite.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
, • Correct (B): The combining vowel (usually “o”) links a root
to a suffix or another root to ease pronunciation without
altering the root’s meaning. This is why hepat/o/megaly
uses “o.”
• A: Incorrect — combining vowels do not convey
grammatical ownership.
• C: Incorrect — pluralization is handled by suffix changes,
not the combining vowel.
• D: Incorrect — prefixes, not combining vowels, modify
meaning to the opposite.
Teaching Point: Combining vowels connect parts for easier
pronunciation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Meaning “Pertaining To”
Stem: Which suffix in the options below best completes the
term bacteri/o___ to mean “pertaining to bacteria”?
A. -itis
B. -plasty
C. -ic
D. -oma
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
, • Correct (C): The suffix -ic forms adjectives meaning
“pertaining to”; bacteri/o + -ic = bacteriologic (pertaining
to bacteria).
• A: -itis indicates inflammation, not “pertaining to.”
• B: -plasty means surgical repair.
• D: -oma denotes a tumor; not an adjective meaning
“pertaining to.”
Teaching Point: Suffix -ic commonly creates “pertaining to”
adjectives.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Meaning “Abnormal Condition or
Disease”
Stem: A chart lists “dermatosis.” Based on word parts, which
meaning is best?
A. Inflammation of the skin.
B. Surgical removal of skin.
C. Abnormal condition of the skin.
D. Study of the skin.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): The suffix -osis means an abnormal condition;
dermat/o + -osis = dermatosis (abnormal skin condition).
, • A: -itis would indicate inflammation, not -osis.
• B: -ectomy indicates surgical removal; not present here.
• D: -ology or -logy would indicate study, not -osis.
Teaching Point: -osis = abnormal condition; -itis =
inflammation.
Citation: Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health
Professions (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Suffixes Related to Procedures
Stem: Which suffix would correctly complete the term that
means “visual examination of the joint”?
A. -scopy
B. -otomy
C. -ectomy
D. -pathy
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
• Correct (A): -scopy means visual examination; arthr/o + -
scopy = arthroscopy (visual exam of a joint).
• B: -otomy means cutting into; not a visual exam.
• C: -ectomy means surgical removal.
• D: -pathy indicates disease; not a procedure.
Teaching Point: -scopy = visual examination; common in
