Free Medical Terminology Exam Flashcards
Memorize 50 essential terms and definitions for the Medical Terminology Fundamentals. See the term, recall the definition, then flip to check yourself.
Prefix: Hyper- vs. Hypo-
Hyper- = excessive, above normal (hypertension = high blood pressure, hyperglycemia = high blood sugar). Hypo- = deficient, below normal (hypotension = low blood pressure, hypoglycemia = low blood sugar). These are the most commonly confused medical prefixes.
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About These Medical Terminology Flashcards
These 50 flashcards are designed to help you memorize key terms and definitions for the Medical Terminology Fundamentals. Each card shows a term on the front and its definition on the back—the classic flashcard format for vocabulary memorization. Use these alongside our practice questions to build both recall and comprehension.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is medical terminology important?
Medical terminology is the universal language of healthcare. It enables precise, efficient communication among all healthcare professionals. Understanding medical terms is essential for: accurate documentation, patient safety, correct billing/coding, interpreting lab results, and passing certification exams (NCLEX, CPC, NHA, etc.). Almost every healthcare career requires medical terminology knowledge.
How is a medical term constructed?
Most medical terms have up to three parts: Prefix (beginning—modifies meaning, e.g., 'hyper-' means excessive), Root Word (core meaning, e.g., 'cardi' means heart), and Suffix (ending—indicates procedure, condition, or disease, e.g., '-itis' means inflammation). A combining vowel (usually 'o') connects the root to the suffix when the suffix starts with a consonant.
What are the most important medical prefixes to learn?
The most essential medical prefixes: hyper- (excessive), hypo- (deficient), tachy- (fast), brady- (slow), dys- (difficult/painful), a-/an- (without), poly- (many), oligo- (few), endo- (within), exo- (outside), peri- (around), epi- (upon), pre-/ante- (before), post- (after), anti- (against), inter- (between), intra- (within), sub- (under/below), supra- (above).
What are the most important medical suffixes?
Essential medical suffixes: -itis (inflammation), -ectomy (surgical removal), -otomy (cutting into), -ostomy (creating an opening), -osis (abnormal condition), -emia (blood condition), -algia/-dynia (pain), -pathy (disease), -scopy (visual examination), -graphy (recording process), -gram (the record), -megaly (enlargement), -penia (deficiency), -plegia (paralysis).
How long does it take to learn medical terminology?
A typical medical terminology course takes one semester (15-16 weeks) in a college setting, covering 200-500 terms. Intensive self-study can cover the basics in 4-6 weeks studying 1-2 hours daily. For healthcare professionals, ongoing learning continues throughout their career. Flashcards and spaced repetition are the most effective study methods for retention.
What healthcare careers require medical terminology?
Virtually every healthcare career requires medical terminology: Nursing (RN, LPN, CNA), Medical Coding/Billing (CPC, CCS), Medical Assisting (CMA, RMA), Pharmacy Technician (PTCE), Phlebotomy, Radiology Technician, Physical/Occupational Therapy, Health Information Management, Emergency Medical Services (EMT, Paramedic), and all physician roles.