BIOL 103 | BIOL103 Module 1: Medical
Terminology Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale - Portage Learning
1. Which component of a medical term provides the core meaning and usually refers to a
body part?
A. Prefix
B. Combining Vowel
C. Suffix
D. Word Root
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The word root is the primary foundation of a medical term that
identifies the specific organ or system involved. It serves as the base to which other word
parts are attached to modify meaning. A prefix is added to the beginning of a word to
indicate location, time, or number. A suffix is added to the end to indicate a procedure,
condition, or disease. Understanding the word root is essential for deciphering any
complex medical term.
2. In the term ‘arthritis,’ what does the suffix ‘-itis’ indicate?
A. Pain
B. Tumor
C. Hardening
D. Inflammation
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The suffix -itis is used across medical terminology to denote
inflammation of a specific tissue or organ. In this case, arthritis refers to the inflammation
of a joint or joints. The suffix -algia is used to describe pain rather than inflammation. The
suffix -oma would indicate a tumor or mass within the joint structure. Identifying common
suffixes like -itis helps healthcare providers quickly understand the nature of a patient’s
pathology.
3. Which prefix should be used to describe a heart rate that is faster than normal?
A. Brady-
B. Tachy-
C. Hyper-
,D. Hypo-
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The prefix tachy- means fast or rapid and is used in the term
tachycardia to describe an elevated heart rate. It is a critical term for assessing vital signs in
clinical settings. Brady- is the opposite prefix, meaning slow, which would describe a heart
rate below normal. Hyper- usually refers to excessive or above, but is not the specific term
for heart rate speed. Mastery of these prefixes allows for precise documentation of a
patient’s cardiovascular status.
4. What is the correct meaning of the word root ‘gastr/o’?
A. Liver
B. Intestine
C. Esophagus
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The word root gastr/o specifically refers to the stomach in medical
terminology. It is found in terms like gastritis, which means inflammation of the stomach
lining. Hepat/o is the root used to describe the liver, not the stomach. Enter/o is the root
that refers to the intestines in the digestive tract. Knowing these anatomical roots is vital
for identifying the location of a patient’s symptoms.
5. What is the surgical removal of the gallbladder called?
A. Cholecystotomy
B. Cholecystitis
C. Cholecystostomy
D. Cholecystectomy
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The suffix -ectomy refers to the surgical removal or excision of a body
part. Cholecystectomy specifically means the removal of the gallbladder, often due to
gallstones. Cholecystotomy refers to making an incision into the gallbladder rather than
removing it. Cholecystitis is the term for inflammation of the gallbladder, not a surgical
procedure. Distinguishing between -ectomy and -otomy is critical for understanding
surgical orders and reports.
6. Which of the following describes a ‘slow’ heart rate?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
, C. Bradycardia
D. Arrhythmia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Bradycardia is the medical term for a heart rate that is slower than
the typical resting rate. The prefix brady- specifically means slow, while -cardia refers to
the heart. Tachycardia is incorrect as it describes a heart rate that is too fast. Hypotension
refers to low blood pressure, not the speed of the heart rate. Clinicians must accurately use
these terms to communicate the urgency of a patient’s condition.
7. Which word root refers to the kidney?
A. Hepat/o
B. Ren/o
C. Encephal/o
D. Cyst/o
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The root ren/o, along with nephr/o, is used to identify the kidneys in
medical terms. You will see this root in words like renal failure or renin. Hepat/o refers to
the liver, which is part of the digestive system. Cyst/o usually refers to the urinary bladder
or a sac-like structure. Identifying organ roots correctly is the first step in learning body
system terminology.
8. What does the prefix ‘hypo-’ signify in medical terms?
A. Above or excessive
B. Within or inside
C. Around or surrounding
D. Below or deficient
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The prefix hypo- indicates that something is below, under, or
deficient in quantity. For example, hypoglycemia refers to a blood sugar level that is below
the normal range. The prefix hyper- is the opposite, meaning above or excessive. Intra-
would be the correct prefix for describing something located within or inside. Learning
these opposites helps in understanding the severity and direction of clinical findings.
9. Which suffix indicates a record or picture of a diagnostic test?
A. -graphy
B. -scope
Terminology Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale - Portage Learning
1. Which component of a medical term provides the core meaning and usually refers to a
body part?
A. Prefix
B. Combining Vowel
C. Suffix
D. Word Root
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The word root is the primary foundation of a medical term that
identifies the specific organ or system involved. It serves as the base to which other word
parts are attached to modify meaning. A prefix is added to the beginning of a word to
indicate location, time, or number. A suffix is added to the end to indicate a procedure,
condition, or disease. Understanding the word root is essential for deciphering any
complex medical term.
2. In the term ‘arthritis,’ what does the suffix ‘-itis’ indicate?
A. Pain
B. Tumor
C. Hardening
D. Inflammation
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The suffix -itis is used across medical terminology to denote
inflammation of a specific tissue or organ. In this case, arthritis refers to the inflammation
of a joint or joints. The suffix -algia is used to describe pain rather than inflammation. The
suffix -oma would indicate a tumor or mass within the joint structure. Identifying common
suffixes like -itis helps healthcare providers quickly understand the nature of a patient’s
pathology.
3. Which prefix should be used to describe a heart rate that is faster than normal?
A. Brady-
B. Tachy-
C. Hyper-
,D. Hypo-
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The prefix tachy- means fast or rapid and is used in the term
tachycardia to describe an elevated heart rate. It is a critical term for assessing vital signs in
clinical settings. Brady- is the opposite prefix, meaning slow, which would describe a heart
rate below normal. Hyper- usually refers to excessive or above, but is not the specific term
for heart rate speed. Mastery of these prefixes allows for precise documentation of a
patient’s cardiovascular status.
4. What is the correct meaning of the word root ‘gastr/o’?
A. Liver
B. Intestine
C. Esophagus
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The word root gastr/o specifically refers to the stomach in medical
terminology. It is found in terms like gastritis, which means inflammation of the stomach
lining. Hepat/o is the root used to describe the liver, not the stomach. Enter/o is the root
that refers to the intestines in the digestive tract. Knowing these anatomical roots is vital
for identifying the location of a patient’s symptoms.
5. What is the surgical removal of the gallbladder called?
A. Cholecystotomy
B. Cholecystitis
C. Cholecystostomy
D. Cholecystectomy
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The suffix -ectomy refers to the surgical removal or excision of a body
part. Cholecystectomy specifically means the removal of the gallbladder, often due to
gallstones. Cholecystotomy refers to making an incision into the gallbladder rather than
removing it. Cholecystitis is the term for inflammation of the gallbladder, not a surgical
procedure. Distinguishing between -ectomy and -otomy is critical for understanding
surgical orders and reports.
6. Which of the following describes a ‘slow’ heart rate?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
, C. Bradycardia
D. Arrhythmia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Bradycardia is the medical term for a heart rate that is slower than
the typical resting rate. The prefix brady- specifically means slow, while -cardia refers to
the heart. Tachycardia is incorrect as it describes a heart rate that is too fast. Hypotension
refers to low blood pressure, not the speed of the heart rate. Clinicians must accurately use
these terms to communicate the urgency of a patient’s condition.
7. Which word root refers to the kidney?
A. Hepat/o
B. Ren/o
C. Encephal/o
D. Cyst/o
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The root ren/o, along with nephr/o, is used to identify the kidneys in
medical terms. You will see this root in words like renal failure or renin. Hepat/o refers to
the liver, which is part of the digestive system. Cyst/o usually refers to the urinary bladder
or a sac-like structure. Identifying organ roots correctly is the first step in learning body
system terminology.
8. What does the prefix ‘hypo-’ signify in medical terms?
A. Above or excessive
B. Within or inside
C. Around or surrounding
D. Below or deficient
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The prefix hypo- indicates that something is below, under, or
deficient in quantity. For example, hypoglycemia refers to a blood sugar level that is below
the normal range. The prefix hyper- is the opposite, meaning above or excessive. Intra-
would be the correct prefix for describing something located within or inside. Learning
these opposites helps in understanding the severity and direction of clinical findings.
9. Which suffix indicates a record or picture of a diagnostic test?
A. -graphy
B. -scope
