CMT Clinical Knowledge & Medical Terminology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The medical term 'bradycardia' refers to which condition?
- Heart rate below 60 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- Heart rate above 100 beats per minute
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Absence of heartbeat
Correct answer: Heart rate below 60 beats per minute
Bradycardia is defined as a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute, from 'brady-' meaning slow.
Question 2: Which anatomical term describes a position closer to the point of attachment on the body?
- Distal
- Proximal (Correct answer)
- Lateral
- Inferior
Correct answer: Proximal
Proximal describes a position nearer to the point of origin or attachment, while distal is farther away.
Question 3: The suffix '-itis' in medical terminology indicates:
- Surgical removal
- Inflammation (Correct answer)
- Disease condition
- Abnormal growth
Correct answer: Inflammation
The suffix '-itis' denotes inflammation, as in appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix).
Question 4: A patient's chart shows 'NPO.' What does this mean for care planning?
- Administer pain medication orally
- Patient may have clear liquids only
- Nothing by mouth — withhold all oral intake (Correct answer)
- Normal post-operative diet
Correct answer: Nothing by mouth — withhold all oral intake
NPO stands for 'nil per os' (nothing by mouth) and means the patient must not eat or drink anything.
Question 5: Which prefix means 'against' or 'opposing' in medical terminology?
- Anti- (Correct answer)
- Hyper-
- Para-
- Peri-
Correct answer: Anti-
The prefix 'anti-' means against or opposing, as in antibiotic (against bacteria) or anticoagulant.
Question 6: The term 'dyspnea' refers to:
- Painful urination
- Difficulty breathing (Correct answer)
- Abnormal heart sounds
- Loss of appetite
Correct answer: Difficulty breathing
Dyspnea means difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, from 'dys-' (difficult) and 'pnea' (breathing).
Question 7: When documenting vital signs, 'afebrile' indicates the patient:
- Has an elevated temperature
- Has no fever (Correct answer)
- Has a rapid pulse
- Has low blood pressure
Correct answer: Has no fever
Afebrile means without fever; the prefix 'a-' means without and 'febril' relates to fever.
CMT Clinical Knowledge & Medical Terminology 2
The medical term 'bradycardia' refers to which condition?