Communication, Terminology, and Abbreviation

Acharaporn Sripusanapan, RN, PhD

Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University

June 8, 2007

Objectives

After completion of this topic, learners should be able to

• explain the meaning of communication

• list the significance of terminology used in nursing communication

• give examples of prefix, suffix, and word root

Meaning & Process

• Communication is the process of interaction among human beings so that they can understand each other.

Method of Communication

• Methods of communication can be classified by language use

– verbal

– nonverbal

• communication skills are partially based on how much and how well an individual knows about language and words particularly in each profession

Aims of Communication

Generally, people communicate with others for the reasons as follows:

• They want to develop understanding among each other.

• They want to create actions.

• They want to give and receive information.

Terminology

Composition of terminology – Roots: an essential component of a word – Prefixes: the first part of the terminology

components – Suffixes: always at the end of word

Examples of RootRoots Meanings Examples

abdomin (o) abdomen abdominopelvic (abdomen and pelvis)

aden (o) gland adenocele (cystic tumor in a gland)

angi (o) vessel angiography (x-ray of a vessel)

bili bile biliary (pertaining to bile or the gallbladder)

brady slow bradycardia (slow heart rhythm)

carcin (o) cancer carcinoma (malignant growth)

Examples of PrefixPrefixes Meanings Examples

a (n)- absence, without anuria (lack of urine output)

ante- before, forward anterior (front of the body)

anti- against antibody (immune response to an organism)

bi- two bigeminy (occurring in pairs)

dys- difficult, painful dysuria (painful urination)

ec- out of ectopic (out of place)

end (o)- inward endoscope (a device used to examine a body cavity)

eu- normal, health euthyroid (normal thyroid function)

Examples of SuffixSuffixes Meanings Examples

-algia pain neuralgia (nerve pain)

-ectomy surgical removal splenectomy (removal of the spleen)

-itis inflammation colitis (inflammation of the colon)

-oma tumor blastoma (cancer composed of embryonic cells)

-phob abnormal fear agoraphobia (fear of open spaces)

-plasia growth hypoplasia (incomplete development)

-plasty surgical repair angioplasty (surgical repair of blood vessels)

-plegia paralysis paraplegia (paralysis of lower body)

-pnea breathing apnea (lack of breathing)

-rrhea fluid discharge diarrhea (frequent soft or liquid bowel movements)

Types of Terminology

• Medical and health professions

• Equipment

• Pharmacology

• Numbers, positions, and directions

• Body systems including disease, symptom, surgery, and treatment

Abbreviation

• Abbreviation of physical examination

• Abbreviation of treatment and nursing care

• Abbreviation of drug

• Abbreviation of diagnostic and laboratory

• Abbreviation of wards and services

• Abbreviation of others