ORI GI NA L C ONTE NT
H EA LT H S C I EN C ES · STUDY QUESTION BANK
BIOD 103 Medical Terminology
Module 4 Study Guide · Edition · Questions with Full Answer Rationales
50 Questions Full Rationales Answer Key Included
50 5 100%
Q UES T IO NS S ECT IO NS R AT I O N A L E S
W H AT T H I S C OV E R S
01 Cardiovascular System Terminology Questions 1 - 10
02 Blood & Lymphatic/Immune Terminology Questions 11 - 20
03 Respiratory System Terminology Questions 21 - 30
04 Digestive System Terminology Questions 31 - 40
05 Pharmacology, Procedures & Abbreviations Questions 41 - 50
A B O U T T H I S S T U DY G U I D E
This study guide contains 50 original multiple-choice questions written to support independent review of the core concepts
covered in this course. Every item was authored specifically for this guide, mapped to high-yield course topics, and paired
with a detailed answer rationale that explains both the correct response and the strongest distractor. This publication is an
independent study aid: it is not the actual examination of any institution, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school
or program. Use it alongside your course materials to test application-level understanding and master the reasoning behind
every answer.
M A S T E R Y TA R G E T LE VE L F O R M AT
80% (40 of 50) Undergraduate PDF · 50 Questions
S T U D Y Q U ES T IO N B A N K Pag e 1
, BIOD 103 Medical Terminology
Module 4 Study Guide · Edition · 50 questions with full answer rationales
SECTION 1 · Cardiovascular System Terminology Questions 1 - 10
Q1. A student nurse reviews a chart note that states, 'Chest imaging confirms cardiomegaly, and the resting pulse of
46 beats per minute is documented as bradycardia.' The student wants to explain the first term to the patient using
its word parts. The student should define cardiomegaly as:
A. Enlargement of the heart
B. Inflammation of the heart muscle
C. A slow heart rate below the normal range
D. Pain arising from within the heart
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardi/o is the combining form for heart and -megaly is the suffix for enlargement, so cardiomegaly means
enlargement of the heart. Bradycardia in the same note is built from brady- (slow) plus -cardia (heart condition) and describes
the slow pulse rather than the imaging finding. Inflammation of the heart muscle would be myocarditis, a different -itis term.
Q2. During a cardiology consult, the provider explains that the hardening of the arterial walls in a patient's legs is
specifically due to fatty plaque deposits within the vessel lining. A student observing the visit must choose the
correct term to chart for this condition. The student should document the condition as:
A. Arteriolosclerosis, hardening of the smallest arterial branches
B. Angiostenosis, narrowing of a vessel by any cause
C. Atherosclerosis, hardening caused by fatty plaque deposits
D. Atherectomy, surgical removal of plaque from a vessel
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ather/o means fatty plaque and -sclerosis means hardening, so atherosclerosis is the specific form of
arteriosclerosis produced by plaque, which matches the provider's explanation. Arteriolosclerosis would locate the hardening
in arterioles, and angiostenosis describes narrowing without naming plaque. Atherectomy is a plaque-removal procedure, not
the disease process itself.
Q3. A chart note describes a young adult who developed fever and chest discomfort after a viral illness; an
echocardiogram shows weakened contraction, and biopsy confirms inflammation of the heart muscle itself. The
student completing the problem list must select the term that names inflammation of the myocardium. The
correct term is:
A. Endocarditis
B. Myocarditis
C. Pericarditis
D. Cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: My/o means muscle, cardi/o means heart, and -itis means inflammation, so myocarditis names inflammation of
the heart muscle confirmed by biopsy. Endocarditis involves the inner lining, and pericarditis involves the sac around the
heart, so neither matches the biopsy site. Cardiomyopathy is a general disease of the heart muscle and does not specifically
denote inflammation.
STUDY QUESTION BANK Page 2
, Q4. In the emergency department, a note records that a blocked coronary artery has produced an area of dead
myocardial tissue, and the charge nurse asks a new hire to name the finding with precise terminology. The new
hire should identify the finding as:
A. Cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle
B. Pericardial effusion, fluid accumulated around the heart
C. Angina pectoris, reversible chest pain from ischemia
D. Myocardial infarction, death of heart muscle tissue
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An infarct is an area of necrotic tissue caused by loss of blood supply, and my/o plus cardi/o locates the damage in
the heart muscle, giving myocardial infarction. Cardiomyopathy names a disease state of the muscle rather than acute tissue
death from an occluded vessel. Angina pectoris is temporary ischemic chest pain without permanent tissue death.
Q5. A cardiac catheterization report describes a balloon-tipped catheter advanced to a narrowed coronary artery,
where the balloon was inflated to press the plaque against the vessel wall and reopen the channel. A student
summarizing the note must name the procedure performed. The procedure described is:
A. Angioplasty, surgical repair of a vessel with a balloon
B. Anastomosis, surgical connection between two structures
C. Angiography, x-ray imaging of vessels using contrast
D. Endarterectomy, removal of plaque from an artery lining
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Angi/o means vessel and -plasty means surgical repair, so angioplasty names the balloon-based reopening of a
narrowed artery described here. Anastomosis would be a surgical connection created between two vessels or ducts, which did
not occur. Angiography is an imaging study, and endarterectomy removes plaque surgically rather than compressing it with a
balloon.
Q6. During a physical assessment, the provider places a stethoscope over the patient's carotid artery and hears a
blowing, swooshing sound caused by turbulent blood flow through a narrowed vessel. The instructor asks a
student how this vascular sound should be documented. The student should chart the sound as a:
A. Murmur, an abnormal sound originating in the heart
B. Gallop, an extra rhythm sound heard over the heart
C. Bruit, an abnormal sound heard over a blood vessel
D. Thrill, a vibration felt through the fingertips
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A bruit is the term for an abnormal blowing sound auscultated over a blood vessel, typically signaling turbulent
flow in a narrowed artery like the carotid. Murmurs and gallops are abnormal sounds heard over the heart itself, not over a
peripheral vessel. A thrill is a vibration felt with the fingertips rather than a sound heard through a stethoscope.
STUDY QUESTION BANK Page 3
H EA LT H S C I EN C ES · STUDY QUESTION BANK
BIOD 103 Medical Terminology
Module 4 Study Guide · Edition · Questions with Full Answer Rationales
50 Questions Full Rationales Answer Key Included
50 5 100%
Q UES T IO NS S ECT IO NS R AT I O N A L E S
W H AT T H I S C OV E R S
01 Cardiovascular System Terminology Questions 1 - 10
02 Blood & Lymphatic/Immune Terminology Questions 11 - 20
03 Respiratory System Terminology Questions 21 - 30
04 Digestive System Terminology Questions 31 - 40
05 Pharmacology, Procedures & Abbreviations Questions 41 - 50
A B O U T T H I S S T U DY G U I D E
This study guide contains 50 original multiple-choice questions written to support independent review of the core concepts
covered in this course. Every item was authored specifically for this guide, mapped to high-yield course topics, and paired
with a detailed answer rationale that explains both the correct response and the strongest distractor. This publication is an
independent study aid: it is not the actual examination of any institution, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school
or program. Use it alongside your course materials to test application-level understanding and master the reasoning behind
every answer.
M A S T E R Y TA R G E T LE VE L F O R M AT
80% (40 of 50) Undergraduate PDF · 50 Questions
S T U D Y Q U ES T IO N B A N K Pag e 1
, BIOD 103 Medical Terminology
Module 4 Study Guide · Edition · 50 questions with full answer rationales
SECTION 1 · Cardiovascular System Terminology Questions 1 - 10
Q1. A student nurse reviews a chart note that states, 'Chest imaging confirms cardiomegaly, and the resting pulse of
46 beats per minute is documented as bradycardia.' The student wants to explain the first term to the patient using
its word parts. The student should define cardiomegaly as:
A. Enlargement of the heart
B. Inflammation of the heart muscle
C. A slow heart rate below the normal range
D. Pain arising from within the heart
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardi/o is the combining form for heart and -megaly is the suffix for enlargement, so cardiomegaly means
enlargement of the heart. Bradycardia in the same note is built from brady- (slow) plus -cardia (heart condition) and describes
the slow pulse rather than the imaging finding. Inflammation of the heart muscle would be myocarditis, a different -itis term.
Q2. During a cardiology consult, the provider explains that the hardening of the arterial walls in a patient's legs is
specifically due to fatty plaque deposits within the vessel lining. A student observing the visit must choose the
correct term to chart for this condition. The student should document the condition as:
A. Arteriolosclerosis, hardening of the smallest arterial branches
B. Angiostenosis, narrowing of a vessel by any cause
C. Atherosclerosis, hardening caused by fatty plaque deposits
D. Atherectomy, surgical removal of plaque from a vessel
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ather/o means fatty plaque and -sclerosis means hardening, so atherosclerosis is the specific form of
arteriosclerosis produced by plaque, which matches the provider's explanation. Arteriolosclerosis would locate the hardening
in arterioles, and angiostenosis describes narrowing without naming plaque. Atherectomy is a plaque-removal procedure, not
the disease process itself.
Q3. A chart note describes a young adult who developed fever and chest discomfort after a viral illness; an
echocardiogram shows weakened contraction, and biopsy confirms inflammation of the heart muscle itself. The
student completing the problem list must select the term that names inflammation of the myocardium. The
correct term is:
A. Endocarditis
B. Myocarditis
C. Pericarditis
D. Cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: My/o means muscle, cardi/o means heart, and -itis means inflammation, so myocarditis names inflammation of
the heart muscle confirmed by biopsy. Endocarditis involves the inner lining, and pericarditis involves the sac around the
heart, so neither matches the biopsy site. Cardiomyopathy is a general disease of the heart muscle and does not specifically
denote inflammation.
STUDY QUESTION BANK Page 2
, Q4. In the emergency department, a note records that a blocked coronary artery has produced an area of dead
myocardial tissue, and the charge nurse asks a new hire to name the finding with precise terminology. The new
hire should identify the finding as:
A. Cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle
B. Pericardial effusion, fluid accumulated around the heart
C. Angina pectoris, reversible chest pain from ischemia
D. Myocardial infarction, death of heart muscle tissue
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An infarct is an area of necrotic tissue caused by loss of blood supply, and my/o plus cardi/o locates the damage in
the heart muscle, giving myocardial infarction. Cardiomyopathy names a disease state of the muscle rather than acute tissue
death from an occluded vessel. Angina pectoris is temporary ischemic chest pain without permanent tissue death.
Q5. A cardiac catheterization report describes a balloon-tipped catheter advanced to a narrowed coronary artery,
where the balloon was inflated to press the plaque against the vessel wall and reopen the channel. A student
summarizing the note must name the procedure performed. The procedure described is:
A. Angioplasty, surgical repair of a vessel with a balloon
B. Anastomosis, surgical connection between two structures
C. Angiography, x-ray imaging of vessels using contrast
D. Endarterectomy, removal of plaque from an artery lining
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Angi/o means vessel and -plasty means surgical repair, so angioplasty names the balloon-based reopening of a
narrowed artery described here. Anastomosis would be a surgical connection created between two vessels or ducts, which did
not occur. Angiography is an imaging study, and endarterectomy removes plaque surgically rather than compressing it with a
balloon.
Q6. During a physical assessment, the provider places a stethoscope over the patient's carotid artery and hears a
blowing, swooshing sound caused by turbulent blood flow through a narrowed vessel. The instructor asks a
student how this vascular sound should be documented. The student should chart the sound as a:
A. Murmur, an abnormal sound originating in the heart
B. Gallop, an extra rhythm sound heard over the heart
C. Bruit, an abnormal sound heard over a blood vessel
D. Thrill, a vibration felt through the fingertips
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A bruit is the term for an abnormal blowing sound auscultated over a blood vessel, typically signaling turbulent
flow in a narrowed artery like the carotid. Murmurs and gallops are abnormal sounds heard over the heart itself, not over a
peripheral vessel. A thrill is a vibration felt with the fingertips rather than a sound heard through a stethoscope.
STUDY QUESTION BANK Page 3
