RNSG 1105 Nursing Skills (Terminology Exam 1) – Questions
and Complete Answers (100%)
Table of Contents
• Section 1: Basic Medical Terminology (Questions 1-50)
• Section 2: Anatomical Terminology (Questions 51-100)
• Section 3: Positioning and Mobility (Questions 101-150)
• Section 4: Vital Signs Terminology (Questions 151-200)
• Section 5: Hygiene and Personal Care (Questions 201-250)
• Section 6: Infection Control (Questions 251-300)
• Section 7: Medication Administration (Questions 301-350)
• Section 8: Nutrition and Elimination (Questions 351-400)
• Section 9: Safety and Emergency (Questions 401-450)
• Section 10: Wound Care (Questions 451-500)
• Section 11: Documentation (Questions 501-550)
• Section 12: Nursing Process (Questions 551-600)
• Section 13: Legal/Ethical Terms (Questions 601-650)
• Section 14: Physical Assessment (Questions 651-700)
• Section 15: Respiratory Terms (Questions 701-750)
• Section 16: Cardiovascular Terms (Questions 751-800)
• Section 17: Neurological Terms (Questions 801-850)
• Section 18: Gastrointestinal Terms (Questions 851-900)
• Section 19: Genitourinary Terms (Questions 901-950)
• Section 20: Integumentary/Musculoskeletal (Questions 951-1000)
Section 1: Basic Medical Terminology (Questions 1-50)
,1. What is the meaning of the prefix "hypo-"?
A. Above normal
B. Below normal
C. Excessive
D. Rapid
E. Slow
Correct Answer: B. Below normal
Rationale: The prefix "hypo-" means below, beneath, or deficient. In medical terminology, it
indicates a decrease or insufficiency. For example, hypothermia means below normal body
temperature, hypoglycemia means low blood sugar, and hypotension means low blood
pressure. This prefix is commonly used in nursing to describe conditions where a parameter falls
below the normal range. Understanding this prefix is essential for interpreting medical
documentation and communicating patient conditions effectively. The opposite prefix is "hyper-
" which means above or excessive.
2. What does the suffix "-itis" indicate?
A. Tumor
B. Disease
C. Inflammation
D. Surgical removal
E. Study of
Correct Answer: C. Inflammation
Rationale: The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of a specific body part or organ. This is one of
the most common medical suffixes encountered in nursing practice. Examples include
appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), and arthritis
(inflammation of joints). Recognizing this suffix helps nurses quickly identify inflammatory
conditions in patient assessments and documentation. The inflammatory response typically
involves redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function, which are important signs for nurses
to assess.
3. What is the meaning of the prefix "tachy-"?
A. Slow
B. Fast
C. Painful
D. Difficult
E. Normal
Correct Answer: B. Fast
Rationale: The prefix "tachy-" means fast or rapid. In medical terminology, it is commonly used
to describe conditions involving accelerated rates. Tachycardia refers to a rapid heart rate (over
100 beats per minute), tachypnea indicates rapid breathing, and tachyarrhythmia describes a
fast abnormal heart rhythm. Nurses must be able to identify these conditions promptly as they
,may indicate serious underlying issues requiring immediate intervention. The opposite prefix is
"brady-" meaning slow.
4. What does the suffix "-ectomy" mean?
A. Surgical repair
B. Surgical removal
C. Surgical opening
D. Visual examination
E. Surgical reconstruction
Correct Answer: B. Surgical removal
Rationale: The suffix "-ectomy" indicates the surgical removal or excision of a body part. This is a
critical term for nurses to understand when discussing surgical procedures with patients and
reviewing medical records. Examples include appendectomy (removal of appendix),
cholecystectomy (removal of gallbladder), and hysterectomy (removal of uterus). Nurses must
be familiar with these terms to provide appropriate preoperative and postoperative care,
including monitoring for complications and providing patient education about the procedure
and recovery process.
5. What does the prefix "hyper-" indicate?
A. Below normal
B. Excessive or above normal
C. Slow
D. Painful
E. Without
Correct Answer: B. Excessive or above normal
Rationale: The prefix "hyper-" means above, excessive, or beyond normal. In nursing practice,
this prefix is encountered frequently in conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure),
hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and hyperthermia (elevated body temperature).
Understanding this prefix helps nurses recognize when a patient's condition exceeds normal
parameters and requires intervention. Proper identification of hyper-conditions is essential for
timely treatment and prevention of complications. The opposite prefix is "hypo-" meaning
below normal.
6. What is the meaning of the suffix "-ology"?
A. Study of
B. Fear of
C. Disease of
D. Surgical removal
E. Inflammation of
Correct Answer: A. Study of
Rationale: The suffix "-ology" means the study of a particular subject. In medical terminology, it
is used to describe various medical specialties and sciences. For example, cardiology is the study
, of the heart, neurology is the study of the nervous system, and oncology is the study of tumors
and cancer. Nurses may work in or coordinate care with various "-ology" specialties, making it
important to understand what each specialty involves for effective interdisciplinary
communication and patient referral.
7. What does the prefix "brady-" indicate?
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Normal
D. Painful
E. Abnormal
Correct Answer: B. Slow
Rationale: The prefix "brady-" means slow. This term is essential in nursing assessment of vital
signs. Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute), bradypnea
indicates slow breathing (less than 12 breaths per minute in adults), and bradykinesia describes
slow movement. Nurses must be able to identify these conditions, especially in patients with
cardiovascular or neurological conditions. Monitoring for bradycardia is particularly important in
patients receiving medications that affect heart rate, such as beta-blockers or digoxin.
8. What does the suffix "-algia" indicate?
A. Inflammation
B. Pain
C. Surgical removal
D. Visual examination
E. Abnormal condition
Correct Answer: B. Pain
Rationale: The suffix "-algia" denotes pain in a specific body part. This suffix is frequently used in
nursing documentation and patient communication. Examples include neuralgia (nerve pain),
myalgia (muscle pain), and arthralgia (joint pain). Understanding this suffix allows nurses to
accurately document pain locations and characteristics. Pain assessment is a critical nursing
function, and recognizing these terms helps in implementing appropriate pain management
interventions and evaluating their effectiveness.
9. What is the meaning of the prefix "peri-"?
A. Within
B. Around
C. Between
D. Above
E. Below
Correct Answer: B. Around
Rationale: The prefix "peri-" means around or surrounding. In medical terminology, this prefix is
used to describe structures or procedures that involve the area surrounding a body part.
and Complete Answers (100%)
Table of Contents
• Section 1: Basic Medical Terminology (Questions 1-50)
• Section 2: Anatomical Terminology (Questions 51-100)
• Section 3: Positioning and Mobility (Questions 101-150)
• Section 4: Vital Signs Terminology (Questions 151-200)
• Section 5: Hygiene and Personal Care (Questions 201-250)
• Section 6: Infection Control (Questions 251-300)
• Section 7: Medication Administration (Questions 301-350)
• Section 8: Nutrition and Elimination (Questions 351-400)
• Section 9: Safety and Emergency (Questions 401-450)
• Section 10: Wound Care (Questions 451-500)
• Section 11: Documentation (Questions 501-550)
• Section 12: Nursing Process (Questions 551-600)
• Section 13: Legal/Ethical Terms (Questions 601-650)
• Section 14: Physical Assessment (Questions 651-700)
• Section 15: Respiratory Terms (Questions 701-750)
• Section 16: Cardiovascular Terms (Questions 751-800)
• Section 17: Neurological Terms (Questions 801-850)
• Section 18: Gastrointestinal Terms (Questions 851-900)
• Section 19: Genitourinary Terms (Questions 901-950)
• Section 20: Integumentary/Musculoskeletal (Questions 951-1000)
Section 1: Basic Medical Terminology (Questions 1-50)
,1. What is the meaning of the prefix "hypo-"?
A. Above normal
B. Below normal
C. Excessive
D. Rapid
E. Slow
Correct Answer: B. Below normal
Rationale: The prefix "hypo-" means below, beneath, or deficient. In medical terminology, it
indicates a decrease or insufficiency. For example, hypothermia means below normal body
temperature, hypoglycemia means low blood sugar, and hypotension means low blood
pressure. This prefix is commonly used in nursing to describe conditions where a parameter falls
below the normal range. Understanding this prefix is essential for interpreting medical
documentation and communicating patient conditions effectively. The opposite prefix is "hyper-
" which means above or excessive.
2. What does the suffix "-itis" indicate?
A. Tumor
B. Disease
C. Inflammation
D. Surgical removal
E. Study of
Correct Answer: C. Inflammation
Rationale: The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of a specific body part or organ. This is one of
the most common medical suffixes encountered in nursing practice. Examples include
appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), and arthritis
(inflammation of joints). Recognizing this suffix helps nurses quickly identify inflammatory
conditions in patient assessments and documentation. The inflammatory response typically
involves redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function, which are important signs for nurses
to assess.
3. What is the meaning of the prefix "tachy-"?
A. Slow
B. Fast
C. Painful
D. Difficult
E. Normal
Correct Answer: B. Fast
Rationale: The prefix "tachy-" means fast or rapid. In medical terminology, it is commonly used
to describe conditions involving accelerated rates. Tachycardia refers to a rapid heart rate (over
100 beats per minute), tachypnea indicates rapid breathing, and tachyarrhythmia describes a
fast abnormal heart rhythm. Nurses must be able to identify these conditions promptly as they
,may indicate serious underlying issues requiring immediate intervention. The opposite prefix is
"brady-" meaning slow.
4. What does the suffix "-ectomy" mean?
A. Surgical repair
B. Surgical removal
C. Surgical opening
D. Visual examination
E. Surgical reconstruction
Correct Answer: B. Surgical removal
Rationale: The suffix "-ectomy" indicates the surgical removal or excision of a body part. This is a
critical term for nurses to understand when discussing surgical procedures with patients and
reviewing medical records. Examples include appendectomy (removal of appendix),
cholecystectomy (removal of gallbladder), and hysterectomy (removal of uterus). Nurses must
be familiar with these terms to provide appropriate preoperative and postoperative care,
including monitoring for complications and providing patient education about the procedure
and recovery process.
5. What does the prefix "hyper-" indicate?
A. Below normal
B. Excessive or above normal
C. Slow
D. Painful
E. Without
Correct Answer: B. Excessive or above normal
Rationale: The prefix "hyper-" means above, excessive, or beyond normal. In nursing practice,
this prefix is encountered frequently in conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure),
hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and hyperthermia (elevated body temperature).
Understanding this prefix helps nurses recognize when a patient's condition exceeds normal
parameters and requires intervention. Proper identification of hyper-conditions is essential for
timely treatment and prevention of complications. The opposite prefix is "hypo-" meaning
below normal.
6. What is the meaning of the suffix "-ology"?
A. Study of
B. Fear of
C. Disease of
D. Surgical removal
E. Inflammation of
Correct Answer: A. Study of
Rationale: The suffix "-ology" means the study of a particular subject. In medical terminology, it
is used to describe various medical specialties and sciences. For example, cardiology is the study
, of the heart, neurology is the study of the nervous system, and oncology is the study of tumors
and cancer. Nurses may work in or coordinate care with various "-ology" specialties, making it
important to understand what each specialty involves for effective interdisciplinary
communication and patient referral.
7. What does the prefix "brady-" indicate?
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Normal
D. Painful
E. Abnormal
Correct Answer: B. Slow
Rationale: The prefix "brady-" means slow. This term is essential in nursing assessment of vital
signs. Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute), bradypnea
indicates slow breathing (less than 12 breaths per minute in adults), and bradykinesia describes
slow movement. Nurses must be able to identify these conditions, especially in patients with
cardiovascular or neurological conditions. Monitoring for bradycardia is particularly important in
patients receiving medications that affect heart rate, such as beta-blockers or digoxin.
8. What does the suffix "-algia" indicate?
A. Inflammation
B. Pain
C. Surgical removal
D. Visual examination
E. Abnormal condition
Correct Answer: B. Pain
Rationale: The suffix "-algia" denotes pain in a specific body part. This suffix is frequently used in
nursing documentation and patient communication. Examples include neuralgia (nerve pain),
myalgia (muscle pain), and arthralgia (joint pain). Understanding this suffix allows nurses to
accurately document pain locations and characteristics. Pain assessment is a critical nursing
function, and recognizing these terms helps in implementing appropriate pain management
interventions and evaluating their effectiveness.
9. What is the meaning of the prefix "peri-"?
A. Within
B. Around
C. Between
D. Above
E. Below
Correct Answer: B. Around
Rationale: The prefix "peri-" means around or surrounding. In medical terminology, this prefix is
used to describe structures or procedures that involve the area surrounding a body part.
