BIOL 103 | BIOL103 Module 9: Medical
Terminology Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale - Portage Learning
1. A patient presents with difficulty swallowing after a stroke. Which medical term correctly
describes this condition in a clinical report?
A. Dysphasia
B. Dysphagia
C. Dyspnea
D. Dystonia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The term dysphagia specifically refers to difficulty swallowing, which
is a common complication after a neurological event like a stroke. The prefix ‘dys-’ means
difficult and the root ‘phagia’ refers to eating or swallowing. In contrast, dysphasia refers to
an impairment of language and speech. Dyspnea describes difficulty breathing while
dystonia relates to abnormal muscle tone. Understanding these subtle spelling differences
is critical for accurate patient documentation.
2. A surgical report notes the removal of the gallbladder due to stones. What is the correct
medical term for this procedure?
A. Cholecystitis
B. Choledocholithotomy
C. Cholecystectomy
D. Colectomy
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder as
indicated by the suffix ‘-ectomy’. The root ‘cholecyst’ refers specifically to the gallbladder
organ. Choledocholithotomy involves an incision into the common bile duct to remove
stones rather than organ removal. Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder
rather than a procedure name. Colectomy refers to the removal of the colon which is an
entirely different digestive structure.
3. A patient’s lab results show a lower than normal count of white blood cells. Which term
should the healthcare provider use?
A. Leukocytosis
B. Leukopenia
,C. Erythropenia
D. Thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Leukopenia is the medical term for a reduction in the number of
white blood cells in the blood. The root ‘leuko’ means white and the suffix ‘-penia’ indicates
a deficiency or decrease. Leukocytosis would instead indicate an abnormally high white
blood cell count. Erythropenia refers to a deficiency in red blood cells specifically.
Thrombocytopenia identifies a low platelet count which affects the body’s ability to clot.
4. During an exam, a physician notes the patient has an abnormally slow heart rate. This
clinical finding is documented as:
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Arrhythmia
D. Cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Bradycardia is defined as a resting heart rate that is slower than the
typical range, usually below 60 beats per minute. The prefix ‘brady-’ means slow while
‘cardia’ refers to the heart. Tachycardia represents the opposite condition where the heart
rate is abnormally fast. Arrhythmia is a more general term describing any irregular heart
rhythm. Cardiomyopathy refers to a disease of the heart muscle itself rather than just the
rate.
5. An orthopedic surgeon performs a procedure to look inside a joint using a camera. This is
called:
A. Arthroscopy
B. Arthroplasty
C. Arthrocentesis
D. Arthritis
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Arthroscopy uses the suffix ‘-scopy’ which means visual examination
with an instrument. The root ‘arthro’ refers to a joint, making this the correct term for
internal joint visualization. Arthrocentesis is a procedure to puncture a joint to remove
fluid. Arthroplasty refers to the surgical repair or replacement of a joint. Arthritis is a
diagnostic term for joint inflammation rather than a surgical procedure.
, 6. A patient with chronic kidney disease is found to have blood in their urine. What is the
correct terminology for this finding?
A. Nocturia
B. Glycosuria
C. Pyuria
D. Hematuria
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine, derived from ‘hemat’
for blood and ‘-uria’ for urine. It is a significant clinical sign that often requires further
urological investigation. Glycosuria refers to the presence of glucose in the urine which is
common in diabetes. Pyuria indicates the presence of pus or white blood cells suggesting
an infection. Nocturia is the condition of frequent urination at night.
7. A physician orders a procedure to create a permanent opening in the trachea to assist with
breathing. This is a:
A. Tracheotomy
B. Tracheostomy
C. Thoracentesis
D. Laryngectomy
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Tracheostomy involves the suffix ‘-stomy’ which refers to the
creation of a permanent or semi-permanent opening. Tracheotomy is the initial act of
cutting into the trachea, using the suffix ‘-otomy’. Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain
fluid from the pleural space around the lungs. Laryngectomy is the complete removal of the
larynx or voice box. Differentiating between ‘-otomy’ and ‘-stomy’ is essential for
understanding surgical outcomes.
8. A patient experiences pain in the muscles after a strenuous workout. The medical term for
muscle pain is:
A. Myoma
B. Myelopathy
C. Myalgia
D. Myopathy
Correct Answer: C
Terminology Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale - Portage Learning
1. A patient presents with difficulty swallowing after a stroke. Which medical term correctly
describes this condition in a clinical report?
A. Dysphasia
B. Dysphagia
C. Dyspnea
D. Dystonia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The term dysphagia specifically refers to difficulty swallowing, which
is a common complication after a neurological event like a stroke. The prefix ‘dys-’ means
difficult and the root ‘phagia’ refers to eating or swallowing. In contrast, dysphasia refers to
an impairment of language and speech. Dyspnea describes difficulty breathing while
dystonia relates to abnormal muscle tone. Understanding these subtle spelling differences
is critical for accurate patient documentation.
2. A surgical report notes the removal of the gallbladder due to stones. What is the correct
medical term for this procedure?
A. Cholecystitis
B. Choledocholithotomy
C. Cholecystectomy
D. Colectomy
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder as
indicated by the suffix ‘-ectomy’. The root ‘cholecyst’ refers specifically to the gallbladder
organ. Choledocholithotomy involves an incision into the common bile duct to remove
stones rather than organ removal. Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder
rather than a procedure name. Colectomy refers to the removal of the colon which is an
entirely different digestive structure.
3. A patient’s lab results show a lower than normal count of white blood cells. Which term
should the healthcare provider use?
A. Leukocytosis
B. Leukopenia
,C. Erythropenia
D. Thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Leukopenia is the medical term for a reduction in the number of
white blood cells in the blood. The root ‘leuko’ means white and the suffix ‘-penia’ indicates
a deficiency or decrease. Leukocytosis would instead indicate an abnormally high white
blood cell count. Erythropenia refers to a deficiency in red blood cells specifically.
Thrombocytopenia identifies a low platelet count which affects the body’s ability to clot.
4. During an exam, a physician notes the patient has an abnormally slow heart rate. This
clinical finding is documented as:
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Arrhythmia
D. Cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Bradycardia is defined as a resting heart rate that is slower than the
typical range, usually below 60 beats per minute. The prefix ‘brady-’ means slow while
‘cardia’ refers to the heart. Tachycardia represents the opposite condition where the heart
rate is abnormally fast. Arrhythmia is a more general term describing any irregular heart
rhythm. Cardiomyopathy refers to a disease of the heart muscle itself rather than just the
rate.
5. An orthopedic surgeon performs a procedure to look inside a joint using a camera. This is
called:
A. Arthroscopy
B. Arthroplasty
C. Arthrocentesis
D. Arthritis
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Arthroscopy uses the suffix ‘-scopy’ which means visual examination
with an instrument. The root ‘arthro’ refers to a joint, making this the correct term for
internal joint visualization. Arthrocentesis is a procedure to puncture a joint to remove
fluid. Arthroplasty refers to the surgical repair or replacement of a joint. Arthritis is a
diagnostic term for joint inflammation rather than a surgical procedure.
, 6. A patient with chronic kidney disease is found to have blood in their urine. What is the
correct terminology for this finding?
A. Nocturia
B. Glycosuria
C. Pyuria
D. Hematuria
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine, derived from ‘hemat’
for blood and ‘-uria’ for urine. It is a significant clinical sign that often requires further
urological investigation. Glycosuria refers to the presence of glucose in the urine which is
common in diabetes. Pyuria indicates the presence of pus or white blood cells suggesting
an infection. Nocturia is the condition of frequent urination at night.
7. A physician orders a procedure to create a permanent opening in the trachea to assist with
breathing. This is a:
A. Tracheotomy
B. Tracheostomy
C. Thoracentesis
D. Laryngectomy
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Tracheostomy involves the suffix ‘-stomy’ which refers to the
creation of a permanent or semi-permanent opening. Tracheotomy is the initial act of
cutting into the trachea, using the suffix ‘-otomy’. Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain
fluid from the pleural space around the lungs. Laryngectomy is the complete removal of the
larynx or voice box. Differentiating between ‘-otomy’ and ‘-stomy’ is essential for
understanding surgical outcomes.
8. A patient experiences pain in the muscles after a strenuous workout. The medical term for
muscle pain is:
A. Myoma
B. Myelopathy
C. Myalgia
D. Myopathy
Correct Answer: C
