BIOL 103 | BIOL103 Module 4: Medical
Terminology - Portage Learning Updated and
Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A patient presents to the emergency room with symptoms of a myocardial infarction.
Which of the following best describes this condition?
A. Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart
B. Death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of oxygen
C. Abnormal rhythm of the heart beat
D. Narrowing of the heart valves
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is
abruptly cut off, causing tissue damage. This is often the result of a blockage in one or more
of the coronary arteries. The term ‘myo’ refers to muscle, ‘cardi’ refers to the heart, and
‘infarction’ means tissue death. Clinically, this is commonly referred to as a heart attack.
Rapid treatment is essential to restore blood flow and save the cardiac muscle.
2. Which medical term is used to describe a patient experiencing ‘shortness of breath’?
A. Apnea
B. Eupnea
C. Dyspnea
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Dyspnea is the clinical term for difficult or labored breathing. The
prefix ‘dys-’ means difficult or painful, while ‘-pnea’ refers to breathing. It is a subjective
symptom reported by patients in various respiratory and cardiac conditions. Unlike apnea,
which is the absence of breathing, dyspnea involves active but struggling respiration.
Doctors often quantify this by assessing the patient’s level of exertion during the episode.
3. A procedure performed to widen a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel is known as:
A. Angiography
B. Angioplasty
C. Arteriosclerosis
,D. Atherectomy
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Angioplasty is a surgical repair or unblocking of a blood vessel,
typically a coronary artery. The suffix ‘-plasty’ denotes surgical repair or reconstruction.
During the procedure, a balloon-tipped catheter is often used to mechanically widen the
affected vessel. This helps restore adequate blood flow to tissues that were previously
ischemic. Frequently, a stent is placed during the angioplasty to keep the vessel open long-
term.
4. A patient’s chart notes a heart rate of 120 beats per minute. Which term accurately
describes this finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Arrhythmia
C. Tachycardia
D. Cardiomegaly
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting
rate, usually over 100 beats per minute. The prefix ‘tachy-’ means fast or rapid, and ‘cardia’
refers to the heart. It can be caused by various factors including exercise, stress, or
underlying medical conditions. In contrast, bradycardia refers to a heart rate that is
abnormally slow. Accurate monitoring is necessary to determine if the tachycardia is
physiological or pathological.
5. Which term describes the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the
artery walls?
A. Arteriosclerosis
B. Arteritis
C. Atherosclerosis
D. Angiospasm
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Atherosclerosis specifically refers to the buildup of plaque in the
inner lining of an artery. This plaque is composed of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular
waste products, and calcium. Over time, this buildup narrows the arteries and restricts
blood flow to vital organs. While often used interchangeably with arteriosclerosis,
atherosclerosis is a specific type of the broader hardening of arteries. It is a leading cause of
cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart attack.
, 6. A patient is diagnosed with ‘atelectasis’ after surgery. What does this term indicate?
A. Inflammation of the pleura
B. Collapsed lung or portion of a lung
C. Fluid in the lungs
D. High blood pressure in the pulmonary artery
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or an
area of the lung. It occurs when the tiny air sacs, called alveoli, within the lung become
deflated or filled with alveolar fluid. This condition is common after surgery because
shallow breathing can lead to alveolar collapse. Symptoms may include cough, chest pain,
and low oxygen levels in the blood. Breathing exercises and incentive spirometry are often
used to treat and prevent this condition.
7. What is the medical term for a physician who specializes in the study and treatment of the
heart?
A. Hematologist
B. Pulmonologist
C. Cardiologist
D. Angiologist
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: A cardiologist is a medical professional who focuses on disorders of
the cardiovascular system. The root ‘cardi/o’ means heart, and the suffix ‘-logist’ means one
who studies. They diagnose and treat conditions such as congenital heart defects, coronary
artery disease, and heart failure. Patients are often referred to a cardiologist if they have
symptoms like chest pain or palpitations. This specialty involves both diagnostic testing
and non-surgical management of heart health.
8. A patient requires a procedure to remove fluid from the space around the lungs. This is
called:
A. Thoracentesis
B. Pneumocentesis
C. Bronchoscopy
D. Tracheotomy
Correct Answer: A
Terminology - Portage Learning Updated and
Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A patient presents to the emergency room with symptoms of a myocardial infarction.
Which of the following best describes this condition?
A. Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart
B. Death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of oxygen
C. Abnormal rhythm of the heart beat
D. Narrowing of the heart valves
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is
abruptly cut off, causing tissue damage. This is often the result of a blockage in one or more
of the coronary arteries. The term ‘myo’ refers to muscle, ‘cardi’ refers to the heart, and
‘infarction’ means tissue death. Clinically, this is commonly referred to as a heart attack.
Rapid treatment is essential to restore blood flow and save the cardiac muscle.
2. Which medical term is used to describe a patient experiencing ‘shortness of breath’?
A. Apnea
B. Eupnea
C. Dyspnea
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Dyspnea is the clinical term for difficult or labored breathing. The
prefix ‘dys-’ means difficult or painful, while ‘-pnea’ refers to breathing. It is a subjective
symptom reported by patients in various respiratory and cardiac conditions. Unlike apnea,
which is the absence of breathing, dyspnea involves active but struggling respiration.
Doctors often quantify this by assessing the patient’s level of exertion during the episode.
3. A procedure performed to widen a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel is known as:
A. Angiography
B. Angioplasty
C. Arteriosclerosis
,D. Atherectomy
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Angioplasty is a surgical repair or unblocking of a blood vessel,
typically a coronary artery. The suffix ‘-plasty’ denotes surgical repair or reconstruction.
During the procedure, a balloon-tipped catheter is often used to mechanically widen the
affected vessel. This helps restore adequate blood flow to tissues that were previously
ischemic. Frequently, a stent is placed during the angioplasty to keep the vessel open long-
term.
4. A patient’s chart notes a heart rate of 120 beats per minute. Which term accurately
describes this finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Arrhythmia
C. Tachycardia
D. Cardiomegaly
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting
rate, usually over 100 beats per minute. The prefix ‘tachy-’ means fast or rapid, and ‘cardia’
refers to the heart. It can be caused by various factors including exercise, stress, or
underlying medical conditions. In contrast, bradycardia refers to a heart rate that is
abnormally slow. Accurate monitoring is necessary to determine if the tachycardia is
physiological or pathological.
5. Which term describes the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the
artery walls?
A. Arteriosclerosis
B. Arteritis
C. Atherosclerosis
D. Angiospasm
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Atherosclerosis specifically refers to the buildup of plaque in the
inner lining of an artery. This plaque is composed of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular
waste products, and calcium. Over time, this buildup narrows the arteries and restricts
blood flow to vital organs. While often used interchangeably with arteriosclerosis,
atherosclerosis is a specific type of the broader hardening of arteries. It is a leading cause of
cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart attack.
, 6. A patient is diagnosed with ‘atelectasis’ after surgery. What does this term indicate?
A. Inflammation of the pleura
B. Collapsed lung or portion of a lung
C. Fluid in the lungs
D. High blood pressure in the pulmonary artery
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or an
area of the lung. It occurs when the tiny air sacs, called alveoli, within the lung become
deflated or filled with alveolar fluid. This condition is common after surgery because
shallow breathing can lead to alveolar collapse. Symptoms may include cough, chest pain,
and low oxygen levels in the blood. Breathing exercises and incentive spirometry are often
used to treat and prevent this condition.
7. What is the medical term for a physician who specializes in the study and treatment of the
heart?
A. Hematologist
B. Pulmonologist
C. Cardiologist
D. Angiologist
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: A cardiologist is a medical professional who focuses on disorders of
the cardiovascular system. The root ‘cardi/o’ means heart, and the suffix ‘-logist’ means one
who studies. They diagnose and treat conditions such as congenital heart defects, coronary
artery disease, and heart failure. Patients are often referred to a cardiologist if they have
symptoms like chest pain or palpitations. This specialty involves both diagnostic testing
and non-surgical management of heart health.
8. A patient requires a procedure to remove fluid from the space around the lungs. This is
called:
A. Thoracentesis
B. Pneumocentesis
C. Bronchoscopy
D. Tracheotomy
Correct Answer: A
