detailed rationales—that you might use as study tools for the “Comprehensive
Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 1st Edition (Schroeder, 2023)”
covering chapters 1–22 as well as two additional sections for Application Level
and Final comprehensive review. These questions are designed to test your
recall, comprehension, and ability to apply concepts from the text. You can
adjust the number or depth of questions as needed for your study needs.
I. Comprehensive Revision Test (Chapters 1–22)
Question 1
Which statement best describes the importance of Greek and Latin roots in medical terminology?
A. They are used only for historical reasons.
B. They provide a systematic way to build and decipher medical terms.
C. They are no longer relevant in modern medical practice.
D. They are used exclusively in surgical specialties.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Greek and Latin roots form the foundation of many medical terms. Knowing these roots helps in
understanding, constructing, and deciphering complex terminology across all specialties (reflecting
content from early chapters).
Question 2
A medical term ending in “-itis” most commonly indicates:
A. A condition involving enlargement.
B. Inflammation.
C. Surgical removal.
D. Abnormal development.
Answer: B
Rationale:
The suffix “-itis” specifically means inflammation. This question reinforces understanding of common
suffixes and their meanings.
Question 3
When forming a medical term, the combining vowel is used to:
A. Connect two vowels together.
B. Separate a prefix from a root word and make pronunciation easier.
,C. Indicate a plural form.
D. Transform an adjective into a noun.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Combining vowels (usually “o”) are inserted between a prefix and a root or between two roots to ease
pronunciation. This is a key concept covered in the early chapters.
Question 4
The term “hepatomegaly” can be broken down into its word parts as follows:
A. hepato- (liver) + -megaly (inflammation)
B. hepat- (liver) + -osis (disease)
C. hepato- (liver) + -megaly (enlargement)
D. hepato- (bile) + -megaly (abnormal)
Answer: C
Rationale:
“Hepato” refers to the liver and “-megaly” denotes enlargement. Recognizing these parts aids in both
term formation and interpretation.
Question 5
Which prefix best indicates “excessive” or “beyond normal” in medical terminology?
A. Brady-
B. Hyper-
C. Hypo-
D. Tachy-
Answer: B
Rationale:
“Hyper-” means excessive or above normal, while “hypo-” indicates below normal. Understanding these
prefixes is essential for accurate interpretation of terms.
Question 6
In terms of body systems, which term is most correctly associated with the cardiovascular system?
A. Osteopathy
B. Neurology
C. Cardiology
D. Dermatology
Answer: C
Rationale:
, Cardiology is the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the heart and the circulatory system,
directly addressing the cardiovascular system.
Question 7
The combining form “arthr/o” refers to which of the following?
A. Nerve
B. Joint
C. Muscle
D. Bone
Answer: B
Rationale:
“Arthr/o” means joint. Questions like this test your ability to match word parts with their meanings.
Question 8
Which term correctly describes “inflammation of the kidney”?
A. Nephritis
B. Nephrolithiasis
C. Nephrectomy
D. Nephrosis
Answer: A
Rationale:
The suffix “-itis” indicates inflammation, so “nephritis” refers to inflammation of the kidney.
Differentiating similar terms is a common challenge addressed in the text.
Question 9
A proper understanding of medical abbreviations and acronyms is essential because:
A. They are rarely used in clinical settings.
B. They ensure concise communication among health professionals.
C. They are only used in research articles.
D. They always have multiple meanings.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Medical abbreviations facilitate quick and clear communication among professionals. This is a recurring
theme throughout the chapters.
Question 10