IntroductionIntroduction toto

Medical TerminologyMedical Terminology

Chapter IChapter I

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Four parts of medical termsFour parts of medical terms

1. word roots: carry the basic or core meaning of a word. Ex: pulmon / o meaning lung. Example definition: pulmonary (pertaining to the lungs)

2. prefix: appear at the beginning of the word. It also tells the number of items or measurement. Ex, a) inter: meaning among, between. Example definition; intervertebral. b) bi: meaning two. Example bilateral.

3. suffix: attached to the end of a word to add meaning. Ex, a) -genic: meaning: producing, produced by. Ex. Definition carcinogenic (producing cancer). b) as an adjective –al meaning: pertaining to. Ex. Definition, duodenal ( to the duodenum). c) as surgical procedures: –otomy meaning: cutting into. Ex definition thoracotomy. d) as procedural suffix: –graph meaning: instrument for recording. Ex. Definition: electrocardiograph. (instrument for recording the heart’s electrical activity.)

4. combining vowel.- Links the word root to another word root or a suffix. (usually o) ex; cardiomyopathy . But a term sometimes does not require a combining vowel. Ex; Arthritis.

World BuildingWorld BuildingConsist of putting together several world elements to form a variety of term. For example, hypo- (meaning: under, below) plus derm/o (meaning: skin) plus adjective –ic forms hypodermic. (under the skin).

Interpreting medical terms.

.-divide term into its word parts. Ex, Nephromegaly =Nephr/o/megaly/

.-define each word part. Ex, nephr = kidney

o = combining vowel (n0 meaning)

megaly = enlargement, large

.-combining words parts: kidney, large.

Pronunciation. articulation for the same terms depends on where people were born or educated. Ask for them to be spelled to avoid confusion. (Ex, abduction vs. adduction).

Spelling. Some words have the same beginning sounds but are spelled differently. Ex, sounds like si

psy psychiatry

cy cytoplasm

Word ending Singular endings plural endings

-ax thorax thoraces

atrium left atrium and right atrium two atria

Abbreviations are commonly used in the medical profession as a way of saving time, but abbreviations can be confusing. Ex, SM for simple mastectomy and sm for small, RBC means red blood cell.

Medical record.- it is a legal document that encloses the details of a patient’s hospital stay. For example:

Physician’s Orders.- complete list of the care, medications, tests, and treatments the physician orders for the patient.

Pathologist's Report.- information given by a pathologist who studies tissue removed from the patient; for example, blood.

Healthcare Settings.- use a precise and efficient method of communication. Descriptions follow of the different types of settings where medical terminology is used.

Specialty Care Hospital.- provide care for every specific types of diseases; for example, a psychiatric hospital.

Physicians’ Offices.- provide diagnostic and treatment services in a private office setting.

Home Health Care.- provides nursing, therapy, personal care in the patient's own home.

Confidentiality.- any information or record relating to a patient must be considered privileged or private. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) set federal standards that provide patients with more protection of their medical records and health information.

Conclusion.

Studying medical terminology is like learning a new language

Healthcare workers apply medical terminology in order to correctly and efficiently communicate patient information to each other.

Use of the incorrect terms can result in problems for a patient, as well as with insurance records and processing.

The use of medical terminology is wide ranging.