MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology — Word Roots &
Combining Forms
Stem
A nursing student encounters the term cardi/o/megaly in a
chart. Based on word parts, what is the best definition?
Options
A. Enlargement of the heart
B. Inflammation of the heart
C. Cutting into the heart
D. Creation of an opening in the heart
,Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct option: cardi/o- = heart (combining form); -megaly =
enlargement; together they indicate enlargement of the heart.
Incorrect A (B): -itis would indicate inflammation, not -megaly.
Incorrect C (C): -otomy or -tomy indicates cutting into.
Incorrect D (D): -ostomy indicates creating an opening; not -
megaly.
Teaching point
*-megaly = enlargement; cardi/o = heart.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology — Combining
Vowels
Stem
Which option explains why the combining vowel is used in
oste/o/arthr/itis?
Options
A. It changes meaning of the word root.
,B. It links two roots to improve pronunciation.
C. It indicates plural form.
D. It converts a verb to a noun.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct option: The combining vowel (usually o) links roots
(oste- and arthr-) to make the term easier to pronounce.
Incorrect A: The vowel does not change the root meaning.
Incorrect C: Plurality is indicated by suffixes, not the combining
vowel.
Incorrect D: Grammatical conversion uses suffixes; combining
vowels simply connect.
Teaching point
Combining vowels (usually o) link roots for pronunciation.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology — Suffixes
Meaning “Pertaining To”
, Stem
Which suffix added to hepato- (liver) creates a term meaning
“pertaining to the liver”?
Options
A. -ectomy
B. -itis
C. -ic
D. -pathy
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct option: hepatic (hepato- + -ic) means pertaining to the
liver.
Incorrect A: -ectomy indicates surgical removal.
Incorrect B: -itis indicates inflammation.
Incorrect D: -pathy indicates disease or disorder.
Teaching point
-ic commonly forms adjectives meaning “pertaining to.”
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4.
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)ANN EHRLICH
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology — Word Roots &
Combining Forms
Stem
A nursing student encounters the term cardi/o/megaly in a
chart. Based on word parts, what is the best definition?
Options
A. Enlargement of the heart
B. Inflammation of the heart
C. Cutting into the heart
D. Creation of an opening in the heart
,Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct option: cardi/o- = heart (combining form); -megaly =
enlargement; together they indicate enlargement of the heart.
Incorrect A (B): -itis would indicate inflammation, not -megaly.
Incorrect C (C): -otomy or -tomy indicates cutting into.
Incorrect D (D): -ostomy indicates creating an opening; not -
megaly.
Teaching point
*-megaly = enlargement; cardi/o = heart.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology — Combining
Vowels
Stem
Which option explains why the combining vowel is used in
oste/o/arthr/itis?
Options
A. It changes meaning of the word root.
,B. It links two roots to improve pronunciation.
C. It indicates plural form.
D. It converts a verb to a noun.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct option: The combining vowel (usually o) links roots
(oste- and arthr-) to make the term easier to pronounce.
Incorrect A: The vowel does not change the root meaning.
Incorrect C: Plurality is indicated by suffixes, not the combining
vowel.
Incorrect D: Grammatical conversion uses suffixes; combining
vowels simply connect.
Teaching point
Combining vowels (usually o) link roots for pronunciation.
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Medical Terminology — Suffixes
Meaning “Pertaining To”
, Stem
Which suffix added to hepato- (liver) creates a term meaning
“pertaining to the liver”?
Options
A. -ectomy
B. -itis
C. -ic
D. -pathy
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct option: hepatic (hepato- + -ic) means pertaining to the
liver.
Incorrect A: -ectomy indicates surgical removal.
Incorrect B: -itis indicates inflammation.
Incorrect D: -pathy indicates disease or disorder.
Teaching point
-ic commonly forms adjectives meaning “pertaining to.”
Citation
Ehrlich, A. (2022). Medical Terminology for Health Professions
(9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4.
