Download Medical Terminology Specialization Course 1-3 Practice Quizzes Q&A 2024 and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity! MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY SPECIALIZATION Course 1 - 3 PRACTICE QUIZZES Q & A 2024 1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with appendicitis. The nurse knows that the word appendicitis means: a) inflammation of the appendix b) removal of the appendix c) infection of the appendix d) rupture of the appendix *Answer: a) inflammation of the appendix* Rationale: The word appendicitis is composed of three word parts: append-, -it, and -is. The word root append- means appendix, the suffix -it means inflammation, and the suffix -is indicates a condition. Therefore, appendicitis means a condition of inflammation of the appendix. 2. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medical record and sees the abbreviation BP. The nurse understands that this abbreviation stands for: a) blood pressure b) body part c) blood product d) body position *Answer: a) blood pressure* Rationale: BP is a common abbreviation for blood pressure, which is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. Blood pressure is measured using a device called a sphygmomanometer and is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). 3. A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of Rationale: The term electrocardiogram is composed of three word parts: electr-, cardi-, and -gram. The word root electr- means electricity or electric. The word root cardi- means heart. The suffix -gram means record or writing. Therefore, electrocardiogram means a record or writing of electricity or electric activity of the heart. 8. A nurse is caring for a patient who has diabetes mellitus (DM). The nurse knows that this condition affects: a) the pancreas and its ability to produce insulin b) the liver and its ability to store glucose c) the kidneys and their ability to filter waste products d) the thyroid and its ability to regulate metabolism *Answer: a) the pancreas and its ability to produce insulin* Rationale: The term diabetes mellitus is composed of two words: diabetes and mellitus. The word diabetes means excessive urination or passing of urine. The word mellitus means sweet or honey-like. Therefore, diabetes mellitus means excessive urination or passing of urine that is sweet or honey-like. This condition is caused by a deficiency or resistance of insulin, a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and regulates the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. 9. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medication list and sees the term analgesic. The nurse knows that this term means: a) a drug that reduces inflammation b) a drug that reduces fever c) a drug that reduces pain d) a drug that reduces infection *Answer: c) a drug that reduces pain* Rationale: The term analgesic is composed of two word parts: an- and -algesic. The prefix an- means without or absence of. The suffix -algesic means pain or sensitivity to pain. Therefore, analgesic means without pain or absence of pain. An analgesic is a drug that reduces pain by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. 10. A nurse is educating a patient about the importance of exercise. The nurse explains that the term exercise means: a) the movement of muscles and joints b) the increase of heart rate and blood flow c) the consumption of oxygen and energy d) all of the above *Answer: d) all of the above* Rationale: The term exercise is derived from the Latin word exercere, which means to keep busy or to work out. Exercise involves the movement of muscles and joints, the increase of heart rate and blood flow, and the consumption of oxygen and energy. Exercise has many benefits for physical and mental health, such as improving strength, endurance, flexibility, mood, and cognition. 11. A nurse is caring for a patient who has hypertension. The nurse knows that this term means: a) low blood pressure b) high blood pressure c) normal blood pressure d) variable blood pressure *Answer: b) high blood pressure* Rationale: The term hypertension is composed of two word parts: hyper- and -tension. The prefix hyper- means excessive or above normal. The suffix -tension means pressure or tension. Therefore, hypertension means excessive or above normal pressure or tension. Hypertension is a condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels is too high, which can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. 12. A nurse is assessing a patient who has tachycardia. The nurse knows that this term means: a) slow heart rate b) fast heart rate c) irregular heart rate d) weak heart rate *Answer: b) fast heart rate* Rationale: The term tachycardia is composed of two word parts: tachy- and -cardia. The prefix tachy- means fast or rapid. The suffix -cardia means heart or heart condition. Therefore, tachycardia means fast or rapid heart or heart condition. Tachycardia is a condition in which the heart beats faster than normal, which can reduce the efficiency of the heart and cause symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. 13. A nurse is caring for a patient who has osteoporosis. The nurse knows that this term means: a) inflammation of the bones b) infection of the bones 3. Which hormone is responsible for the regulation of calcium levels in the blood? a) Estrogen b) Thyroxine c) Parathyroid hormone d) Insulin Answer: c) Parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid hormone helps regulate calcium levels in the blood by increasing calcium absorption from the digestive system and releasing calcium from bones. 4. A patient presents with excessive thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss. Which condition could be responsible for these symptoms? a) Hypothyroidism b) Addison's disease c) Cushing's syndrome d) Diabetes mellitus Answer: d) Diabetes mellitus. Excessive thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), and unexplained weight loss are classic symptoms of diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. 5. The term 'hyperthyroidism' refers to: a) Excessive production of thyroid hormones b) Deficiency of thyroid hormones c) Inflammation of the thyroid gland d) Hardening of the thyroid gland Answer: a) Excessive production of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormones, resulting in an increase in metabolism. 6. Which hormone is responsible for controlling the body's metabolism? a) Adrenaline b) Thyroxine c) Insulin d) Progesterone Answer: b) Thyroxine. Thyroxine, also known as T4, is produced by the thyroid gland and is primarily responsible for regulating the body's metabolism. 7. What is the term used to describe an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland? a) Goiter b) Adenoma c) Lymphadenopathy d) Thyrotoxicosis Answer: a) Goiter. Goiter is a term used to describe the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, often seen in individuals with thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. 8. Which gland is often referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system? a) Pineal gland b) Pituitary gland c) Thymus gland d) Thyroid gland Answer: b) Pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is often considered the "master gland" as it produces and releases several hormones that regulate various bodily functions and control the activities of other endocrine glands. 9. Which of the following organs produces insulin? a) Pancreas b) Adrenal gland c) Hypothalamus d) Ovaries Answer: a) Pancreas. Insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, is produced by the pancreas, specifically by specialized cells called beta cells located in the islets of Langerhans. Answer: a) Estrogen. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone released by the ovaries and is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle. 15. What is the medical term for the chronic inflammation of the pancreas? a) Pancreatitis b) Hepatitis c) Cholecystitis d) Enteritis Answer: a) Pancreatitis. Pancreatitis refers to the chronic inflammation of the pancreas, which can be caused by various factors, including alcohol consumption, gallstone blockage, or certain medications. Which of the following terms refers to the specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit information in the form of electrical signals? A. Neurons B. Nephrons C. Nucleotides D. Neurotransmitters Answer: A. Neurons Rationale: Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. The part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movements and maintaining posture is the: A. Cerebrum B. Cerebellum C. Brainstem D. Hypothalamus Answer: B. Cerebellum Rationale: The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain and plays a crucial role in motor coordination and balance. What is the main function of the spinal cord? A. Processing sensory information B. Controlling voluntary movements C. Regulating body temperature D. Producing cerebrospinal fluid Answer: A. Processing sensory information Rationale: The spinal cord acts as a pathway for sensory information to travel to the brain and for motor signals to travel from the brain to the body. Which of the following is a sensory organ responsible for detecting light and initiating visual perception? A. Retina B. Cornea C. Iris D. Pupil Answer: A. Retina Rationale: The retina is a layer of tissue at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptor cells responsible for detecting light and transmitting visual signals to the brain. The part of the ear that converts sound waves into electrical signals for the brain to interpret is the: A. Eardrum B. Cochlea C. Auditory canal D. Vestibular system Answer: B. Cochlea Rationale: The cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that plays a crucial role in hearing by converting sound vibrations into electrical signals. What is the primary function of the digestive system? A. Regulating blood sugar levels B. Filtering waste products from the blood C. Absorbing nutrients from food D. Producing hormones for metabolism Answer: C. Absorbing nutrients from food Rationale: The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. Which of the following organs is not part of the digestive system? A. Liver B. Lungs C. Stomach A. Central nervous system B. Peripheral nervous system C. Autonomic nervous system D. Somatic nervous system Answer: C. Autonomic nervous system Rationale: The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions and is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. Which of the following structures in the eye is responsible for adjusting the amount of light that enters the eye? A. Lens B. Pupil C. Retina D. Cornea Answer: B. Pupil Rationale: The pupil regulates the amount of light entering the eye by constricting or dilating in response to different lighting conditions. The process by which food is propelled through the digestive tract via rhythmic contractions of smooth muscles is known as: A. Absorption B. Digestion C. Peristalsis D. Segmentation Answer: C. Peristalsis Rationale: Peristalsis is the coordinated muscular contractions that propel food through the digestive system, allowing for digestion and nutrient absorption to occur efficiently.