Mastering medical terminology is crucial in preparing for the PTCB exam and ensuring success in your career as a pharmacy technician. Medical terms are composed of various prefixes, suffixes, and root words describing conditions, procedures, and body parts.
Understanding these building blocks helps you pass the exam and enhances your ability to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals and accurately interpret prescriptions.
Top 75 Medical Prefixes
Prefix
Meaning
Example
Explanation
a-/an-
Without, lack of
Anemia
Lack of blood
brady-
Slow
Bradycardia
Slow heart rate
tachy-
Fast
Tachycardia
Fast heart rate
hyper-
Above normal
Hypertension
High blood pressure
hypo-
Below normal
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar
peri-
Around
Pericardium
Around the heart
sub-
Under
Subcutaneous
Under the skin
trans-
Across
Transdermal
Across the skin
dys-
Bad, difficult
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
epi-
Upon, over
Epidermis
Outer layer of skin
endo-
Within
Endoscope
Instrument for examining inside the body
exo-
Outside
Exoskeleton
External skeleton
extra-
Outside of, beyond
Extracellular
Outside the cell
intra-
Within, inside
Intravenous
Within a vein
inter-
Between
Intercostal
Between the ribs
retro-
Backward, behind
Retroperitoneal
Behind the peritoneum
anti-
Against
Antibiotic
Against life (microorganisms)
contra-
Opposite, against
Contraindication
Against indication
auto-
Self
Autoimmune
Immune response against self
bi-
Two
Bilateral
Two sides
hemi-
Half
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body
micro-
Small
Microbiology
Study of small life forms
macro-
Large
Macroscopic
Visible to the naked eye
mono-
One
Mononucleosis
Condition of one nucleus
poly-
Many
Polyuria
Excessive urination
oligo-
Few, scanty
Oliguria
Scanty urination
pan-
All
Pandemic
Affecting all people
pseudo-
False
Pseudocyesis
False pregnancy
re-
Again, backward
Relapse
Return of disease
semi-
Half, partial
Semipermeable
Partially permeable
syn-
Together, with
Synthesis
Putting together
tele-
Distant
Telemedicine
Medicine at a distance
tri-
Three
Triceps
Three-headed muscle
uni-
One
Unilateral
One side
iso-
Equal
Isometric
Equal measure
mal-
Bad
Malnutrition
Bad nutrition
meta-
Change, beyond
Metastasis
Spread of disease
multi-
Many
Multigravida
Woman with many pregnancies
neo-
New
Neonate
Newborn
nulli-
None
Nullipara
Woman with no pregnancies
ortho-
Straight, correct
Orthodontics
Correcting teeth
para-
Beside, near
Parathyroid
Near the thyroid
post-
After
Postoperative
After surgery
pre-
Before
Prenatal
Before birth
pro-
Before, forward
Prognosis
Forecast of disease
quadri-
Four
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of four limbs
ultra-
Beyond
Ultrasound
Sound beyond normal hearing range
ambi-
Both, around
Ambidextrous
Using both hands equally
circum-
Around
Circumference
Distance around a circle
dec-
Ten
Deciliter
One-tenth of a liter
hept-
Seven
Heptagon
Seven-sided shape
non-
Nine
Nonagon
Nine-sided shape
oct-
Eight
Octagon
Eight-sided shape
penta-
Five
Pentagram
Five-pointed star
prim-
First
Primary
First, most important
quad-
Four
Quadrant
One-fourth part
sept-
Seven
Septuplet
Seven offspring born at once
sex-
Six
Sextuplet
Six offspring born at once
tetr-
Four
Tetralogy
Study of four parts
tri-
Three
Trifecta
Three achievements
xanth-
Yellow
Xanthoma
Yellow tumor
cyan-
Blue
Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration
chlor-
Green
Chlorophyll
Green pigment in plants
erythr-
Red
Erythrocyte
Red blood cell
leuk-
White
Leukemia
White blood cell cancer
melan-
Black
Melanin
Black pigment
poli-
Gray
Poliomyelitis
Inflammation of gray matter of the spinal cord
rube-
Red
Rubella
Red rash
alb-
White
Albinism
Lack of pigment
aqua-
Water
Aquatic
Related to water
gluc-
Sugar
Glucose
Simple sugar
lip-
Fat
Liposuction
Removal of fat
prot-
First, primary
Protein
Primary component of cells
Cardi/o – heart
Cardiology – the study of the heart
Cardiac arrest – cessation of heart function
Cardiovascular – relating to the heart and blood vessels
Hem/o – blood
Hemoglobin – the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
Hematology – the study of blood and blood disorders
Hemorrhage – excessive bleeding
Path/o – disease
Pathogen – a microorganism that causes disease
Pathology – the study of diseases
Psychopathology – the study of mental disorders
Neur/o – nerve
Neurology – the study of the nervous system
Neuralgia – nerve pain
Neuropathy – disease or dysfunction of the nerves
Gastro – stomach
Gastritis – inflammation of the stomach lining
Gastroenterology – the study of the digestive system
Gastroesophageal – relating to the stomach and esophagus
Derm/o – skin
Dermatology – the study of the skin
Dermatitis – inflammation of the skin
Hypodermic – under the skin
Ren/o – kidney
Renal – relating to the kidneys
Nephrology – the study of the kidneys
Reno-vascular – relating to the kidneys and blood vessels
The suffix “-emia” indicates a blood condition Together, these components mean a condition of abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood.
Tachy + cardi + a = tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
The prefix “tachy-” means rapid or fast
The root “cardi” relates to the heart
The suffix “-ia” often denotes a condition or state Combined, these elements describe a state of abnormally fast heart rate.
Angi/o + plast + y = angioplasty (surgical repair of a blood vessel)
The root “angi/o” refers to blood vessels
The root “plast” means to repair or reshape
The suffix “-y” indicates a procedure or process So angioplasty is a procedure to surgically repair or reshape a blood vessel.
Nephr + itis = nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
The root “nephr” relates to the kidneys
The suffix “-itis” means inflammation Together, these components describe an inflammatory condition of the kidneys.
Dys + pep + sia = dyspepsia (difficulty digesting)
The prefix “dys-” means abnormal or difficult
The root “pep” is associated with digestion
The suffix “-sia” often indicates a condition Combined, these word parts signify a condition of difficult or abnormal digestion.
Why Medical Terminology is Important
Understanding medical terminology is foundational for anyone pursuing a healthcare career, particularly for pharmacy technicians. Here’s why mastering medical prefixes and suffixes is so essential:
Role in Pharmacy
Medical terminology is the language healthcare professionals use to describe the human body, its conditions, and the treatments provided.
As a pharmacy technician, you will encounter medical terms daily, whether interpreting prescriptions, communicating with pharmacists and other healthcare providers, or assisting patients.
Knowing these terms ensures that you understand the instructions and can carry out tasks accurately, which is crucial for patient safety and effective care.
Exam Relevance
A significant portion of the PTCB exam focuses on medical terminology. The exam tests your ability to recognize and understand these terms, which is vital for performing your duties correctly.
By mastering medical prefixes and suffixes, you enhance your ability to score well on this exam portion, bringing you closer to certification and a successful career.
Accurate Interpretation of Prescriptions
Prescriptions often include complex medical terms that describe medications, dosages, and administration routes. Understanding medical terminology allows you to interpret these prescriptions accurately, reducing the risk of errors that could harm patients.
For example, knowing that “hypoglycemia” means low blood sugar can help you understand the context in which a medication is prescribed.
Effective Communication
Clear and precise communication is vital in healthcare settings. When you understand medical terminology, you can effectively communicate with pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
For top-notch care and understanding, everyone involved in a patient’s treatment must be on the same page.
Enhanced Learning and Professional Development
A strong grasp of medical terminology lays the foundation for further learning and professional development. It makes it easier to understand advanced concepts and procedures as you continue your education and career in healthcare.
This knowledge helps you perform your current job better and prepares you for future roles and responsibilities.
Confidence and Professionalism
Proficiency in medical terminology boosts your confidence and professionalism. It shows that you are knowledgeable and competent in your field, which can earn your colleagues’ respect and your patients’ trust.
This confidence can also reduce stress and improve job satisfaction, as you feel more equipped to handle the challenges of your role.
Tips for Studying Medical Terminology
Mastering medical terminology is essential for passing the PTCB exam and excelling in your role as a pharmacy technician. Here are some effective tips to help you study and retain medical prefixes, suffixes, and root words:
1. Use Flashcards
Flashcards are a proven method for memorizing medical terms. Write the prefix, suffix, or root word on one side of a card and its meaning and an example on the other side. Regularly review your flashcards to reinforce your memory.
2. Create Mnemonics
Mnemonics are memory aids that can help you recall complex terms. Create simple, memorable phrases or associations that link the term to its meaning. For example, “brady-” means slow, so you could think of a “brake” that slows down a car.
3. Group Study
Studying with peers can enhance your learning experience. Form a study group with classmates or colleagues to quiz each other on medical terminology. Explaining terms to others can also reinforce your own understanding.
4. Use Visual Aids
Visual aids like diagrams, charts, and mind maps can help you visualize and organize information. Create a mind map linking related prefixes, suffixes, and root words, or draw diagrams illustrating the meaning of terms.
Using visual aids like word trees or mind maps can be a powerful way to organize and connect related medical prefixes, suffixes, and root words. These tools allow you to see the relationships between word parts and how they contribute to the meanings of different medical terms.
Prefix Word Tree
One effective method is creating a word tree for common prefixes, branching out to show words incorporating each prefix. For example, a “dys-” prefix tree could look like this:
You can continue adding more branches for additional “dys-” words like dysphagia, dysarthria, etc. Color-coding the prefixes can also make these trees more visually appealing.
Suffix Mind Map
A mind map format works well for suffixes to show how various root words combine with a common suffix. A mind map for the “-itis” suffix could look like:
This allows you to see patterns in how “-itis” means inflammatory conditions of different body parts or systems.
Using visual aids like word trees or mind maps can be a powerful way to organize and connect related medical prefixes, suffixes, and root words. These tools allow you to see the relationships between word parts and how they contribute to the meanings of different medical terms.
Prefix Word Tree One effective method is to create a word tree for common prefixes, branching out to show words that incorporate each prefix. For example, a “dys-” prefix tree could look like this:
You can continue adding more branches for additional “dys-” words like dysphagia, dysarthria, etc. Color-coding the prefixes can also make these trees more visually appealing.
Root Word Diagrams
You can create similar diagrams for common medical root words, linking them to prefixes and suffixes that pair with each root. For “cardi/o” as the root:
These visual aids help reinforce connections between related terms, making it easier to deconstruct, analyze, and remember the meanings of complex medical terminology. They also allow you to understand conceptually how prefixes, roots, and suffixes systemically build words.
The process of creating these diagrams is also a helpful active learning exercise that solidifies one’s understanding of medical terminology words, parts, and principles.
5. Break Down Words
Many medical terms are composed of multiple parts: a prefix, root word, and suffix. Practice breaking down complex terms into their components to understand their meanings.
For example, “hypoglycemia” can be broken down into “hypo-” (low), “glyc-” (sugar), and “-emia” (blood condition), meaning low blood sugar.
6. Regular Revision
Consistency is key to retention. Set aside time each day to review medical terms. Regular revision helps move information from short-term to long-term memory. Use tools like spaced repetition software (SRS) to optimize your study sessions.
7. Apply What You Learn
Apply your knowledge of medical terminology in practical contexts. Read medical articles, watch educational videos, or use medical apps that include terminology. Practicing in real-world contexts helps solidify your understanding.
8. Take Practice Tests
Practice tests are an excellent way to prepare for the PTCB exam. They test your knowledge and familiarize you with the exam format. Use practice tests to identify areas where you need further study and to build your confidence.
9. Stay Organized
Keep your study materials organized. Use binders, folders, or digital tools to store your notes, flashcards, and other study aids. Being organized can help reduce stress and make your study sessions more productive.
10. Use Real-World Examples
Connecting medical terms to real-world examples can make them easier to remember. Think about how a term is used in a clinical setting or relate it to a personal experience. For instance, if you know someone with hypertension, you might better remember that “hyper-” means above normal.
11. Stay Positive and Persistent
Learning medical terminology can be challenging, but a positive attitude and persistence will pay off. Set realistic goals, celebrate your progress, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Consistent effort and a positive mindset will help you succeed.
Practice Questions
Testing your knowledge with practice questions is an excellent way to reinforce your understanding of medical prefixes and suffixes. Here are 15 practice questions to help you gauge your comprehension and identify areas where you may need additional study. Each question is followed by an explanation to enhance your learning.
1. What does the prefix “brady-” mean?
A) Fast
B) Slow
C) Without
D) Above normal
Answer: B) Slow
Explanation: “Brady-” means slow. For example, bradycardia is a condition where the heart rate is slower than normal.
2. Which prefix means “outside”?
A) Endo-
B) Intra-
C) Exo-
D) Sub-
Answer: C) Exo-
Explanation: “Exo-” means outside. For example, an exoskeleton is an external skeleton.
3. What is the meaning of the suffix “-itis”?
A) Pain
B) Inflammation
C) Removal
D) Disease
Answer: B) Inflammation
Explanation: “-itis” refers to inflammation. For example, arthritis is inflammation of the joints.
4. Which prefix indicates “above normal”?
A) Hypo-
B) Hyper-
C) Sub-
D) Trans-
Answer: B) Hyper-
Explanation: “Hyper-” means above normal. For example, hypertension is high blood pressure.
5. What does the suffix “-ectomy” refer to?
A) Study of
B) Pain
C) Removal
D) Blood condition
Answer: C) Removal
Explanation: “-ectomy” means removal. For example, an appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix.
6. Which prefix means “within”?
A) Inter-
B) Retro-
C) Intra-
D) Peri-
Answer: C) Intra-
Explanation: “Intra-” means within. For example, intravenous means within a vein.
7. What does the suffix “-algia” mean?
A) Disease
B) Pain
C) Condition
D) Treatment
Answer: B) Pain
Explanation: “-algia” means pain. For example, neuralgia refers to nerve pain.
8. Which prefix means “after”?
A) Pre-
B) Post-
C) Pro-
D) Retro-
Answer: B) Post-
Explanation: “Post-” means after. For example, postoperative means after surgery.
9. What does the prefix “poly-” mean?
A) Many
B) Few
C) One
D) None
Answer: A) Many
Explanation: “Poly-” means many. For example, polyuria is excessive urination.
