CMT Clinical Knowledge & Medical Terminology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The abbreviation 'PRN' on a medication order means the drug should be given:
- Every morning before meals
- As needed based on patient condition (Correct answer)
- At bedtime only
- Every four hours around the clock
Correct answer: As needed based on patient condition
PRN stands for 'pro re nata,' a Latin phrase meaning 'as needed' based on the patient's condition.
Question 2: Which body system does the term 'renal' refer to?
- Digestive system
- Cardiovascular system
- Urinary/kidney system (Correct answer)
- Respiratory system
Correct answer: Urinary/kidney system
Renal pertains to the kidneys; renal failure means the kidneys are not functioning properly.
Question 3: A medical technician observes a patient in the 'supine' position. The patient is:
- Lying face down
- Lying on their side
- Lying face up on their back (Correct answer)
- Sitting upright at 90 degrees
Correct answer: Lying face up on their back
Supine position means lying flat on the back with the face upward, commonly used for many procedures.
Question 4: What does the prefix 'hemo-' or 'hema-' indicate in medical terms?
- Liver
- Blood (Correct answer)
- Bone
- Muscle
Correct answer: Blood
The prefix 'hemo-' or 'hema-' refers to blood, as in hemoglobin, hemorrhage, and hematology.
Question 5: The term 'tachypnea' describes:
- Slow breathing rate
- Abnormally rapid breathing (Correct answer)
- Cessation of breathing
- Painful breathing
Correct answer: Abnormally rapid breathing
Tachypnea means an abnormally rapid breathing rate, with 'tachy-' meaning fast and '-pnea' meaning breathing.
Question 6: Which medical abbreviation indicates a medication should be taken twice daily?
- QD
- BID (Correct answer)
- TID
- QID
Correct answer: BID
BID stands for 'bis in die,' meaning twice daily; QD=once, TID=three times, QID=four times daily.
Question 7: The medical term 'edema' refers to:
- Muscle wasting
- Abnormal swelling caused by fluid accumulation (Correct answer)
- Hardening of tissue
- Skin discoloration
Correct answer: Abnormal swelling caused by fluid accumulation
Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissues, causing visible swelling.
CMT Clinical Knowledge & Medical Terminology 3
The abbreviation 'PRN' on a medication order means the drug should be given: