Test Bank for Medical Terminology Learning Through
Practice 1st Edition Bostwick | Complete Chapters 1 - 17
| Questions and Answers with explanation | PDF format
| Latest 2022
Chapter 1: Learning Terminology, Word Roots, and Combining Forms
Questions 1–15
1. Which word element establishes the basic meaning of a medical term?
A. Combining form
B. Prefix
C. Suffix
D. Word root
D. Word root
The word root is the fundamental unit of each medical word and establishes the basic
meaning. A prefix modifies the root by adding location, time, or number, while a suffix modifies
the root by indicating a procedure, condition, or disease. A combining form is a root with a
vowel attached to aid pronunciation.
2. What does the suffix -lysis mean?
A. Breakdown
B. Incision
C. Stoppage
D. Surgical puncture
A. Breakdown
The suffix -lysis means breakdown, dissolution, or separation. For example, hemolysis is the
breakdown of blood cells. In contrast, -stasis means stoppage, and -centesis means surgical
puncture.
3. Which part of the word pericarditis is the word root?
,A. -itis
B. cardi
C. peri-
D. peri
B. cardi
In the word pericarditis: peri- is the prefix meaning around, cardi is the word root meaning
heart, and -itis is the suffix meaning inflammation. The word root provides the core meaning of
the term.
4. The combining form cardi/o is an example of which word element?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Word root + vowel
D. Compound suffix
C. Word root + vowel
A combining form consists of a word root combined with a vowel (usually *o*), which aids
in pronunciation when joining word parts. Cardi/o combines the root cardi (heart) with the
vowel *o*.
5. SATA: Which of the following are TRUE regarding medical word structure? Select all that
apply.
A. A prefix appears before a root.
B. A suffix appears at the end of a root.
C. A combining vowel is always *e*.
D. Most medical word parts come from Greek and Latin.
E. A word root cannot stand alone as a medical term.
A, B, D
A prefix is added before a root . A suffix is added at the end of a root . Most medical word
parts derive from Greek and Latin . The combining vowel is most commonly *o* but can also be
*i* or *e*; it is not always *e*. While word roots often require combining forms, some roots
can function as complete terms (e.g., hepar).
,6. The plural form of ovum is:
A. Ovae
B. Ova
C. Ovix
D. Ovums
B. Ova
Medical terms ending in *-um* typically form the plural by changing to *-a*. Therefore,
ovum becomes ova. Other examples include bacterium → bacteria and datum → data.
7. The singular form of atria is:
A. Atrae
B. Atrius
C. Atrium
D. Atrix
C. Atrium
Medical terms ending in *-a* typically form the singular by changing to *-um*. Therefore,
atria becomes atrium. This follows the Latin pluralization pattern.
8. What does the prefix epi- mean?
A. Upon, over
B. Under, below
C. Against
D. Without
A. Upon, over
The prefix epi- means upon, over, or above. For example, epigastric means pertaining to the
region upon the stomach. In contrast, hypo- means under or below.
9. Which part of the word arteriospasm is the suffix?
, A. arteri
B. -spasm
C. -asm
D. arterio
B. -spasm
In arteriospasm: arteri/o is the combining form meaning artery, and -spasm is the suffix
meaning sudden involuntary contraction. The suffix modifies the meaning of the root.
10. The suffix -megaly means:
A. Enlargement
B. Pain
C. Bleeding
D. Narrowing
A. Enlargement
The suffix -megaly means enlargement or enlargement of an organ. For example,
cardiomegaly means enlargement of the heart. In contrast, -algia means pain, and -stenosis
means narrowing.
11. Which of the following is the correct meaning of the prefix para-?
A. After
B. All
C. Alongside, near
D. Before
C. Alongside, near
The prefix para- means alongside, near, or beside. For example, parathyroid glands are
located near the thyroid gland. In contrast, post- means after, and pre- means before.
12. In the term gastroduodenostomy, what does the suffix -stomy mean?
A. Surgical removal
B. Surgical opening
Practice 1st Edition Bostwick | Complete Chapters 1 - 17
| Questions and Answers with explanation | PDF format
| Latest 2022
Chapter 1: Learning Terminology, Word Roots, and Combining Forms
Questions 1–15
1. Which word element establishes the basic meaning of a medical term?
A. Combining form
B. Prefix
C. Suffix
D. Word root
D. Word root
The word root is the fundamental unit of each medical word and establishes the basic
meaning. A prefix modifies the root by adding location, time, or number, while a suffix modifies
the root by indicating a procedure, condition, or disease. A combining form is a root with a
vowel attached to aid pronunciation.
2. What does the suffix -lysis mean?
A. Breakdown
B. Incision
C. Stoppage
D. Surgical puncture
A. Breakdown
The suffix -lysis means breakdown, dissolution, or separation. For example, hemolysis is the
breakdown of blood cells. In contrast, -stasis means stoppage, and -centesis means surgical
puncture.
3. Which part of the word pericarditis is the word root?
,A. -itis
B. cardi
C. peri-
D. peri
B. cardi
In the word pericarditis: peri- is the prefix meaning around, cardi is the word root meaning
heart, and -itis is the suffix meaning inflammation. The word root provides the core meaning of
the term.
4. The combining form cardi/o is an example of which word element?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Word root + vowel
D. Compound suffix
C. Word root + vowel
A combining form consists of a word root combined with a vowel (usually *o*), which aids
in pronunciation when joining word parts. Cardi/o combines the root cardi (heart) with the
vowel *o*.
5. SATA: Which of the following are TRUE regarding medical word structure? Select all that
apply.
A. A prefix appears before a root.
B. A suffix appears at the end of a root.
C. A combining vowel is always *e*.
D. Most medical word parts come from Greek and Latin.
E. A word root cannot stand alone as a medical term.
A, B, D
A prefix is added before a root . A suffix is added at the end of a root . Most medical word
parts derive from Greek and Latin . The combining vowel is most commonly *o* but can also be
*i* or *e*; it is not always *e*. While word roots often require combining forms, some roots
can function as complete terms (e.g., hepar).
,6. The plural form of ovum is:
A. Ovae
B. Ova
C. Ovix
D. Ovums
B. Ova
Medical terms ending in *-um* typically form the plural by changing to *-a*. Therefore,
ovum becomes ova. Other examples include bacterium → bacteria and datum → data.
7. The singular form of atria is:
A. Atrae
B. Atrius
C. Atrium
D. Atrix
C. Atrium
Medical terms ending in *-a* typically form the singular by changing to *-um*. Therefore,
atria becomes atrium. This follows the Latin pluralization pattern.
8. What does the prefix epi- mean?
A. Upon, over
B. Under, below
C. Against
D. Without
A. Upon, over
The prefix epi- means upon, over, or above. For example, epigastric means pertaining to the
region upon the stomach. In contrast, hypo- means under or below.
9. Which part of the word arteriospasm is the suffix?
, A. arteri
B. -spasm
C. -asm
D. arterio
B. -spasm
In arteriospasm: arteri/o is the combining form meaning artery, and -spasm is the suffix
meaning sudden involuntary contraction. The suffix modifies the meaning of the root.
10. The suffix -megaly means:
A. Enlargement
B. Pain
C. Bleeding
D. Narrowing
A. Enlargement
The suffix -megaly means enlargement or enlargement of an organ. For example,
cardiomegaly means enlargement of the heart. In contrast, -algia means pain, and -stenosis
means narrowing.
11. Which of the following is the correct meaning of the prefix para-?
A. After
B. All
C. Alongside, near
D. Before
C. Alongside, near
The prefix para- means alongside, near, or beside. For example, parathyroid glands are
located near the thyroid gland. In contrast, post- means after, and pre- means before.
12. In the term gastroduodenostomy, what does the suffix -stomy mean?
A. Surgical removal
B. Surgical opening
