1. Introduction
Medical terminology and abbreviations form the language of healthcare, allowing doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to communicate efficiently. However, for patients, these terms can often seem complex and confusing.
Understanding medical terminology can help patients interpret their health records, understand diagnoses and treatment plans, and engage more effectively in their healthcare.
In this lecture, we will explore:
- The structure of medical terminology (prefixes, roots, and suffixes).
- Common medical abbreviations used in Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
- How to interpret medical terms related to diagnoses, tests, and treatments.
- Best practices for understanding and navigating medical terminology in health records.
By the end of this session, you will be able to decipher medical terms and abbreviations in your health records with greater confidence.
2. The Structure of Medical Terminology
Medical terms are often derived from Latin or Greek words and follow a structured format:
2.1. Components of Medical Terms
A medical term is typically made up of three parts:
| Component | Definition | Example: Cardiomyopathy |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix | Comes at the beginning and modifies meaning. | Cardio- (relating to the heart) |
| Root Word | The core meaning of the term. | Myo- (muscle) |
| Suffix | Comes at the end and usually describes a condition or procedure. | -pathy (disease) |
Example:
🔹 Hypertension = Hyper- (excessive) + Tension (pressure) → High blood pressure.
🔹 Gastroenterology = Gastro- (stomach) + Entero- (intestine) + -logy (study of) → Study of the digestive system.
Understanding these prefixes, root words, and suffixes helps decode unfamiliar medical terms.
3. Common Medical Prefixes, Root Words, and Suffixes
3.1. Common Prefixes in Medical Terms
| Prefix | Meaning | Example | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyper- | Excessive, above normal | Hyperglycemia | High blood sugar |
| Hypo- | Below normal, deficient | Hypotension | Low blood pressure |
| Brady- | Slow | Bradycardia | Slow heart rate |
| Tachy- | Fast | Tachypnea | Rapid breathing |
| Dys- | Abnormal, difficult | Dysphagia | Difficulty swallowing |
3.2. Common Medical Root Words
| Root Word | Meaning | Example | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardi(o)- | Heart | Cardiology | Study of the heart |
| Hepat(o)- | Liver | Hepatitis | Inflammation of the liver |
| Neur(o)- | Nerve | Neuropathy | Nerve disease |
| Oste(o)- | Bone | Osteoporosis | Weak bones |
| Pulmon(o)- | Lung | Pulmonology | Study of lung diseases |
3.3. Common Medical Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Example | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| -itis | Inflammation | Arthritis | Joint inflammation |
| -ectomy | Surgical removal | Appendectomy | Removal of the appendix |
| -ology | Study of | Oncology | Study of cancer |
| -algia | Pain | Neuralgia | Nerve pain |
| -emia | Blood condition | Anemia | Low red blood cell count |
4. Common Medical Abbreviations in Health Records
Medical records often use shortened forms (abbreviations) to save space and improve efficiency. Here are some of the most common:
4.1. General Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BP | Blood Pressure |
| HR | Heart Rate |
| RR | Respiratory Rate |
| BMI | Body Mass Index |
| Rx | Prescription |
4.2. Abbreviations Related to Medical Conditions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DM | Diabetes Mellitus |
| HTN | Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) |
| COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
| CHF | Congestive Heart Failure |
| CVA | Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) |
4.3. Abbreviations Related to Lab Tests & Diagnostics
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CBC | Complete Blood Count |
| HbA1c | Hemoglobin A1c (Diabetes Test) |
| LFTs | Liver Function Tests |
| CT | Computed Tomography Scan |
| MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
5. How to Interpret Medical Terms in Your Health Records
Step-by-Step Guide:
✅ Break down complex words into prefix-root-suffix.
✅ Check the context—terms can have different meanings based on symptoms and conditions.
✅ Use reliable medical dictionaries like Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary.
✅ Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand a term in your records.
6. End of Lecture Quiz
1. What does “Tachycardia” mean?
A) Slow heart rate
B) Rapid heart rate
C) Low blood sugar
D) High blood sugar
✅ Answer: B – Tachy- means fast, and -cardia refers to the heart, so it means fast heart rate.
2. What does the abbreviation “CBC” stand for?
A) Complete Blood Count
B) Chronic Bone Condition
C) Cardiac Bypass Check
D) Cerebral Blood Coagulation
✅ Answer: A – CBC stands for Complete Blood Count, a common lab test.
3. If a patient’s diagnosis includes “Hepatitis,” what does it mean?
A) Lung infection
B) Liver inflammation
C) Kidney failure
D) Brain swelling
✅ Answer: B – Hepat- refers to the liver, and -itis means inflammation, so Hepatitis means liver inflammation.
7. Further Learning Resources
🔹 Online Medical Terminology Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical
🔹 National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Understanding Medical Terms
https://medlineplus.gov/medicalwords.html
🔹 HealthIT.gov – Navigating EHR Terminology
https://www.healthit.gov
8. Summary & Key Takeaways
✅ Medical terms consist of prefixes, root words, and suffixes that help decode meanings.
✅ Common abbreviations like BP (Blood Pressure) and CBC (Complete Blood Count) are frequently found in EHRs.
✅ Understanding medical terms helps patients interpret their records and engage in healthcare decisions.
✅ Using online medical dictionaries and asking healthcare providers for clarification are key strategies for understanding medical terminology.
This concludes our lecture on Understanding Medical Terminology and Abbreviations. Up next, we will explore how to interpret test results and doctor’s notes in your health records. 🚀
