CMT Clinical Knowledge and Medical Terminology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The medical term 'dyspnea' refers to:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing (Correct answer)
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty urinating
Correct answer: Difficulty breathing
Dyspnea means difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, from the Greek 'dys' (difficult) and 'pnea' (breathing).
Dyspnea is a subjective sensation of breathlessness or air hunger. It can result from cardiac conditions (heart failure, MI), pulmonary conditions (COPD, asthma, pneumonia), anemia, anxiety, or metabolic acidosis. Assessment includes onset (acute vs. chronic), severity, associated symptoms, and aggravating/relieving factors. Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, dysphasia to difficulty speaking, and dysuria to painful urination.
Question 2: What does the prefix 'hyper-' mean in medical terminology?
- Below normal
- Above normal or excessive (Correct answer)
- Around
- Within
Correct answer: Above normal or excessive
The prefix 'hyper-' means above normal, excessive, or beyond, as in hypertension (elevated blood pressure).
The prefix 'hyper-' derives from Greek meaning 'over, above, beyond.' Common medical terms include: hypertension (elevated blood pressure), hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose), hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), hyperkalemia (elevated potassium), and hyperventilation (excessive breathing). Its opposite, 'hypo-,' means below or deficient. Confusing these prefixes is a common and potentially dangerous error in healthcare settings.
Question 3: The term 'bilateral' means:
- On one side
- On both sides (Correct answer)
- Above and below
- Front and back
Correct answer: On both sides
Bilateral means pertaining to or affecting both sides, from 'bi-' (two) and 'lateral' (side).
Bilateral is a directional term meaning both sides of the body or structure. For example, bilateral lung sounds means listening to both lungs, bilateral pedal edema means swelling in both feet. Related terms include: unilateral (one side), ipsilateral (same side as a reference point), and contralateral (opposite side). In documentation, specifying laterality is critical for surgical procedures and accurate diagnosis—for instance, a unilateral kidney stone versus bilateral involvement has different clinical implications.
Question 4: Which body plane divides the body into front and back portions?
- Sagittal plane
- Transverse plane
- Coronal (frontal) plane (Correct answer)
- Oblique plane
Correct answer: Coronal (frontal) plane
The coronal or frontal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.
The three primary anatomical planes are: the coronal (frontal) plane, which divides the body into anterior and posterior portions; the sagittal plane, which divides the body into left and right portions (midsagittal divides equally); and the transverse (horizontal) plane, which divides the body into superior and inferior portions. These planes are fundamental for describing the location of structures in imaging studies such as CT and MRI scans.
Question 5: The medical abbreviation 'PRN' means:
- After meals
- Every hour
- As needed (Correct answer)
- Before surgery
Correct answer: As needed
PRN (pro re nata) is a Latin abbreviation meaning 'as the situation demands' or 'as needed.'
PRN is one of the most commonly used medical abbreviations. Medications ordered PRN are administered when the patient meets specific criteria, such as pain level, temperature, or nausea. PRN orders must include the medication, dose, route, frequency limits (e.g., every 4-6 hours PRN), and indication. Medical technicians must document the reason for administration and the patient's response. Other common abbreviations: BID (twice daily), TID (three times daily), QID (four times daily), QHS (at bedtime).
Question 6: The suffix '-ectomy' means:
- Inflammation of
- Surgical removal of (Correct answer)
- Examination of
- Disease of
Correct answer: Surgical removal of
The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical removal or excision, as in appendectomy (removal of the appendix).
The suffix '-ectomy' comes from the Greek 'ektome' meaning excision or cutting out. Common examples include: appendectomy (appendix removal), cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), mastectomy (breast removal), tonsillectomy (tonsil removal), and nephrectomy (kidney removal). Related surgical suffixes include: '-otomy' (cutting into, making an incision), '-ostomy' (creating an artificial opening), and '-orrhaphy' (surgical repair/suturing).
CMT Clinical Knowledge and Medical Terminology 2
The medical term 'dyspnea' refers to: