Key Takeaways
- The Verbal Ability section has 58 questions (50 scored) in 60 minutes — about 1 minute per question
- Word Knowledge tests synonyms, antonyms, context clues, and medical/scientific terminology
- Learning Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes is the most efficient way to expand medical vocabulary
- Common prefixes: hyper- (above/excessive), hypo- (below/deficient), brady- (slow), tachy- (fast), anti- (against)
- Common suffixes: -itis (inflammation), -ectomy (surgical removal), -ology (study of), -emia (blood condition)
- Context clues include definition clues, synonym clues, antonym/contrast clues, and example clues
- Synonyms are words with similar meanings; antonyms are words with opposite meanings
- Eliminate obviously wrong choices first, then choose the answer closest in meaning to the target word
Word Knowledge & Vocabulary
The Verbal Ability section of the NLN NEX contains 58 questions to be completed in 60 minutes (50 scored, 8 pretest). Approximately half of the questions focus on Word Knowledge — your ability to understand and use vocabulary correctly.
Word Knowledge questions typically ask you to:
- Identify a synonym (word with the same or similar meaning)
- Identify an antonym (word with the opposite meaning)
- Determine the meaning of a word in context
- Recognize the meaning of words using roots, prefixes, and suffixes
Greek and Latin Roots for Medical Vocabulary
Learning word parts is the most powerful vocabulary strategy. A single root can help you decode dozens of words:
Essential Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a-, an- | without, absence of | anemia (without blood), apnea (without breathing) |
| anti- | against | antibiotic (against life/bacteria), antihypertensive |
| brady- | slow | bradycardia (slow heart rate) |
| tachy- | fast | tachycardia (fast heart rate), tachypnea |
| hyper- | above, excessive | hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperglycemia |
| hypo- | below, deficient | hypotension (low blood pressure), hypoglycemia |
| dys- | difficult, painful, abnormal | dyspnea (difficulty breathing), dysphagia |
| endo- | within, inside | endoscopy (looking inside), endocrine |
| epi- | upon, above | epidermis (upon the skin), epidural |
| hemi- | half | hemiplegia (paralysis of half the body) |
| inter- | between | intercostal (between the ribs) |
| intra- | within | intravenous (within a vein) |
| peri- | around | pericardium (around the heart) |
| poly- | many | polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyuria |
| post- | after | postoperative (after surgery) |
| pre- | before | prenatal (before birth) |
| sub- | below, under | subcutaneous (under the skin) |
Essential Roots
| Root | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cardi/o | heart | cardiology, cardiac, tachycardia |
| derm/o | skin | dermatology, epidermis, dermatitis |
| gastr/o | stomach | gastric, gastroenterology, gastritis |
| hem/o, hemat/o | blood | hematology, hemorrhage, hematoma |
| hepat/o | liver | hepatitis, hepatology, hepatic |
| neur/o | nerve | neurology, neuropathy, neural |
| oste/o | bone | osteoporosis, osteology, osteoarthritis |
| path/o | disease | pathology, pathogen, neuropathy |
| pneum/o | lung, air | pneumonia, pneumothorax |
| ren/o, nephr/o | kidney | renal, nephrology, nephritis |
Essential Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -algia | pain | neuralgia (nerve pain), myalgia |
| -ectomy | surgical removal | appendectomy, mastectomy, tonsillectomy |
| -emia | blood condition | anemia, hyperglycemia, leukemia |
| -itis | inflammation | arthritis, bronchitis, hepatitis |
| -logy, -ology | study of | cardiology, neurology, pathology |
| -osis | condition, disease | cyanosis (blue condition), stenosis |
| -pathy | disease, suffering | neuropathy, cardiomyopathy |
| -plasty | surgical repair | rhinoplasty (nose repair), angioplasty |
| -scope | instrument for viewing | stethoscope, endoscope, microscope |
| -tomy | cutting into, incision | tracheotomy, craniotomy, laparotomy |
Context Clues
When you encounter an unfamiliar word, the surrounding text often provides clues to its meaning:
| Clue Type | Signal Words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | "is," "means," "refers to," "defined as" | "Apnea, which means the temporary cessation of breathing..." |
| Synonym | "or," "also known as," "that is" | "The patient was lethargic, or extremely drowsy..." |
| Antonym/Contrast | "but," "however," "unlike," "whereas" | "Unlike the acute symptoms, the chronic condition..." |
| Example | "such as," "for example," "including" | "Vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse..." |
| Inference | General sentence meaning | "The wound showed signs of healing — the inflammation had abated." (decreased) |
Synonyms and Antonyms — Common NEX Vocabulary
| Word | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|
| Acute | Severe, intense, sharp | Chronic, mild, dull |
| Benign | Harmless, noncancerous | Malignant, harmful |
| Chronic | Persistent, long-lasting | Acute, temporary |
| Deteriorate | Worsen, decline, degrade | Improve, recover |
| Exacerbate | Worsen, aggravate, intensify | Alleviate, relieve |
| Alleviate | Relieve, ease, reduce | Exacerbate, worsen |
| Lethargic | Drowsy, sluggish, fatigued | Alert, energetic |
| Potent | Strong, powerful, effective | Weak, mild, dilute |
| Prognosis | Outlook, prediction, forecast | — |
| Symptomatic | Showing symptoms | Asymptomatic (no symptoms) |
The word "bradycardia" means:
Which word is a SYNONYM for "alleviate"?
In the sentence "The doctor noted that the patient's condition had deteriorated significantly since the last visit," what does "deteriorated" most likely mean?
The suffix "-itis" means _____.
Type your answer below
What does the prefix "hyper-" mean?
Match each medical prefix to its meaning.
Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right
"The nurse observed that the laceration was superficial." In this context, "superficial" most likely means:
Which word means "surgical removal"?
Which of the following words contain a root meaning "heart"? (Select all that apply)
Select all that apply