CHAA Medical Terminology for Patient Access Flashcards
6 cards from real CHAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CHAA Medical Terminology for Patient Access flashcards as text
What does the prefix 'hyper-' mean in medical terminology?
Answer: Above normal or excessive
The prefix 'hyper-' means above normal, excessive, or beyond. For example, hypertension means abnormally high blood pressure, and hyperglycemia means excessive blood sugar. Understanding this prefix helps patient access staff correctly interpret diagnoses and insurance documentation.
What does the prefix 'hypo-' mean in medical terminology?
Answer: Below normal or deficient
The prefix 'hypo-' means below normal, under, or deficient. For example, hypotension means abnormally low blood pressure, and hypothermia means body temperature below normal. It is the opposite of 'hyper-' and is commonly seen in diagnoses and medical reports.
What does the suffix '-ectomy' mean?
Answer: Surgical removal of
The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical removal or excision. For example, appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, and cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Patient access staff encounter this suffix frequently when processing surgical authorizations.
What does the suffix '-itis' indicate?
Answer: Inflammation
The suffix '-itis' means inflammation. Common examples include appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes), and arthritis (inflammation of the joints). This is one of the most frequently encountered suffixes in medical documentation.
What does the root word 'cardi-' or 'cardio-' refer to?
Answer: Heart
The root 'cardi-' or 'cardio-' refers to the heart. Cardiology is the study and treatment of heart conditions, a cardiologist is a heart specialist, and cardiovascular refers to the heart and blood vessels. This is one of the most common root words in medical terminology.
What does the suffix '-ology' mean?
Answer: Study of
The suffix '-ology' means the study of a particular subject. For example, cardiology is the study of the heart, dermatology is the study of the skin, and radiology is the study of imaging. Patient access staff use department names built on this suffix when routing patients and referrals.