Medical Terminology Lesson on Common Suffixes | Nursing Students NCLEX Review SimpleNursing

Summary

This educational video script introduces viewers to medical suffixes, essential for understanding medical terminology. It explains common suffixes such as 'itis' for inflammation, 'ectomy' for surgical removal, 'ology' for study, and 'scope' for viewing instruments. Examples like appendicitis, appendectomy, cardiology, and rhinoplasty are used to illustrate how suffixes modify the meaning of medical terms. The script encourages practice and offers additional resources for nursing students to master this aspect of medical language.

Takeaways

• 📚 Suffixes are word parts added to the end of root words to modify or change their meaning in medical terminology.
• 🔍 The suffix '-itis' indicates inflammation, as seen in 'appendicitis' which means inflammation of the appendix.
• 🔪 '-Ectomy' means surgical removal, exemplified by 'appendectomy' for surgical removal of the appendix.
• 📚 '-Ology' signifies the study of a particular field, such as 'cardiology' for the study of the heart.
• 🛠 '-Plasty' refers to surgical repair or reconstruction, like 'rhinoplasty' for the surgical repair of the nose.
• 🔬 '-Scope' denotes an instrument for viewing, such as an 'endoscope' used to view the inside of the body.
• 📝 '-Gram' is used for recording or an image, like an 'electrocardiogram' which records the heart's electrical activity.
• 🤒 '-Pathy' describes a disease or abnormal condition, such as 'neuropathy' for a disease in the nervous system.
• 💧 '-Lysis' means dissolution, destruction, or separation, with 'dialysis' being an example of waste separation from the blood.
• ✂️ '-Tomy' indicates incision or cutting, like 'tracheotomy' which is an incision into the trachea.
• 🔗 '-Stomy' means a surgical opening or connection, such as 'colostomy' for a surgical opening in the colon.

Q & A

What is a suffix in medical terminology?

A suffix is a word part added to the end of a root word to modify or change its meaning, often providing information about a procedure, condition, or specific area of the body.

What does the suffix '-itis' indicate in medical terms?

The suffix '-itis' indicates inflammation, as seen in 'appendicitis' which means inflammation of the appendix.

What does 'ectomy' mean when used as a suffix in medical terminology?

'Ectomy' means surgical removal, as in 'appendectomy', which refers to the surgical removal of the appendix.

What is the meaning of the suffix '-ology'?

The suffix '-ology' means the study of, such as in 'cardiology', which is the study of the heart.

What does the suffix '-plasty' signify in medical procedures?

'-Plasty' signifies surgical repair or reconstruction, like 'rhinoplasty' which is the surgical repair of the nose.

What is the meaning of the suffix '-scope'?

'-Scope' refers to an instrument used for viewing, such as an 'endoscope' used for viewing the inside of the body.

What does the suffix '-gram' represent in medical tests?

'-Gram' represents a recording or an image, like an 'electrocardiogram' (EKG) which is a recording of the heart's electrical activity.

What does the suffix '-pathy' indicate regarding a medical condition?

'-Pathy' describes a disease or abnormal condition, such as 'neuropathy' which is a disease or abnormality in the nervous system.

What is the meaning of the suffix '-lysis'?

'-Lysis' means dissolution, destruction, or separation, exemplified by 'dialysis' which is the separation of waste products from the blood.

What does '-tomy' signify in medical procedures?

'-Tomy' signifies incision or cutting, such as 'tracheotomy' which is an incision into the trachea.

What does the suffix '-ostomy' indicate in surgical terms?

'-Ostomy' indicates a surgical opening or connection, like 'colostomy' which is a surgical opening in the colon.

What is the meaning of the suffix '-megaly'?

'-Megaly' means enlargement, such as 'hepatomegaly' which refers to the enlargement of the liver.

What does '-rhea' signify in terms of bodily functions?

'-Rhea' signifies discharge or flow, like 'diarrhea' which is an excessive flow of discharge from the bowels, and 'rhinorrhea' which is a runny nose.

What does the suffix '-malacia' indicate about a tissue or organ?

'-Malacia' indicates softening, such as 'osteomalacia' which refers to the softening of the bones.

What is the meaning of the suffix '-stenosis'?

'-Stenosis' means narrowing or constriction, exemplified by 'aortic stenosis' which is the narrowing of the aortic valve.

What does the suffix '-cide' indicate in the context of substances or treatments?

'-Cide' indicates killing or destroying, such as 'bacitracin' which is a substance that kills bacteria.

How can understanding suffixes help in decoding medical terminology?

Understanding suffixes is essential for decoding medical terminology as it helps in identifying the nature of procedures, conditions, and body parts involved, thus enhancing comprehension and communication in the medical field.