CHAA Medical Terminology for Patient Access 10 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'asymptomatic' mean?
- Having many symptoms
- Showing no symptoms or signs of disease (Correct answer)
- Having only mild symptoms
- Having symptoms on one side of the body
Correct answer: Showing no symptoms or signs of disease
Asymptomatic means showing no symptoms or signs of a disease, even though the condition may be present. For example, a patient with asymptomatic high blood pressure may not feel unwell but still has the condition. This term is relevant to patient access when patients question the need for screening tests or preventive services.
Question 2: What does the root word 'arthr-' or 'arthro-' refer to?
- Artery
- Joint (Correct answer)
- Heart
- Airway
Correct answer: Joint
The root 'arthr-' or 'arthro-' refers to joints. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, arthroscopy is visual examination of a joint, and arthroplasty is joint reconstruction surgery. This root is commonly encountered when processing orthopedic referrals and surgical authorizations.
Question 3: What does the prefix 'peri-' mean?
- Within
- Around or surrounding (Correct answer)
- Through
- Against
Correct answer: Around or surrounding
The prefix 'peri-' means around or surrounding. Examples include pericardium (membrane surrounding the heart), perinatal (around the time of birth), and perioperative (around the time of surgery). This prefix helps describe structures and timeframes in relation to a central point.
Question 4: What does 'metastasis' mean?
- A benign growth
- The spread of cancer from its original site to other parts of the body (Correct answer)
- A type of metabolism
- Complete recovery from illness
Correct answer: The spread of cancer from its original site to other parts of the body
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor site to distant parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system, forming new tumors. Metastatic cancer is typically more serious and affects treatment decisions, prognosis, and insurance authorizations for advanced therapies. Understanding this term is important for patient access when processing oncology authorizations.
Question 5: What does the suffix '-megaly' mean?
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Enlargement (Correct answer)
- Deficiency
Correct answer: Enlargement
The suffix '-megaly' means enlargement. Examples include cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), and splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). This suffix indicates that an organ or structure is larger than normal, which is often a sign of an underlying condition.
Question 6: What does 'prophylactic' mean in medical terminology?
- Relating to a profit motive
- Intended to prevent disease or infection (Correct answer)
- Relating to artificial limbs
- A treatment for existing conditions only
Correct answer: Intended to prevent disease or infection
Prophylactic means intended to prevent disease, infection, or other unwanted outcomes before they occur. Prophylactic antibiotics may be given before surgery to prevent infection, and prophylactic mastectomy may be performed to prevent breast cancer in high-risk patients. Insurance coverage for prophylactic procedures may require documentation of risk factors and medical necessity.
CHAA Medical Terminology for Patient Access 10
What does 'asymptomatic' mean?