WGU E010 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
OA PREP EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with an abnormally slow heart rate. Which medical term best describes
this condition?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Arrhythmia
D. Cardiomyopathy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Brady- is a prefix meaning slow, and -cardia refers to the heart.
Tachy- means fast.
2. Which suffix refers to a surgical puncture to remove fluid?
A. -centesis
B. -ectomy
C. -ostomy
D. -otomy
,Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: -centesis indicates a surgical puncture for aspiration, such as in
amniocentesis or thoracentesis.
3. The term ‘hepatomegaly’ indicates which of the following?
A. Enlargement of the liver
B. Inflammation of the liver
C. Liver failure
D. Surgical removal of the liver
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hepat/o means liver and -megaly means enlargement.
4. In the anatomical position, the thumb is ______ to the pinky finger.
A. Medial
B. Proximal
C. Lateral
D. Distal
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lateral means away from the midline. In anatomical position
(palms forward), the thumb is on the outside.
, 5. Which of the following terms describes a condition of ‘blue skin’ due to lack of oxygen?
A. Erythema
B. Cyanosis
C. Melanosis
D. Jaundice
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cyan/o means blue, and -osis means condition.
6. What is the meaning of the suffix ‘-rrhage’?
A. Flow or discharge
B. Suturing
C. Bursting forth
D. Surgical repair
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: -rrhage or -rrhagia means bursting forth, usually of blood
(hemorrhage).
7. A physician orders a ‘nephrolithotomy’. What is the surgeon doing?
A. Removing a kidney stone through an incision
B. Crushing a kidney stone with sound waves
OA PREP EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with an abnormally slow heart rate. Which medical term best describes
this condition?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Arrhythmia
D. Cardiomyopathy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Brady- is a prefix meaning slow, and -cardia refers to the heart.
Tachy- means fast.
2. Which suffix refers to a surgical puncture to remove fluid?
A. -centesis
B. -ectomy
C. -ostomy
D. -otomy
,Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: -centesis indicates a surgical puncture for aspiration, such as in
amniocentesis or thoracentesis.
3. The term ‘hepatomegaly’ indicates which of the following?
A. Enlargement of the liver
B. Inflammation of the liver
C. Liver failure
D. Surgical removal of the liver
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hepat/o means liver and -megaly means enlargement.
4. In the anatomical position, the thumb is ______ to the pinky finger.
A. Medial
B. Proximal
C. Lateral
D. Distal
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lateral means away from the midline. In anatomical position
(palms forward), the thumb is on the outside.
, 5. Which of the following terms describes a condition of ‘blue skin’ due to lack of oxygen?
A. Erythema
B. Cyanosis
C. Melanosis
D. Jaundice
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cyan/o means blue, and -osis means condition.
6. What is the meaning of the suffix ‘-rrhage’?
A. Flow or discharge
B. Suturing
C. Bursting forth
D. Surgical repair
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: -rrhage or -rrhagia means bursting forth, usually of blood
(hemorrhage).
7. A physician orders a ‘nephrolithotomy’. What is the surgeon doing?
A. Removing a kidney stone through an incision
B. Crushing a kidney stone with sound waves
