Medical Terminology

1
7
Medical Terminology
2
Advanced EMT Education Standard

• The AEMT uses foundational anatomical and medical
  terms and abbreviations in written and oral
  communications with colleagues and other health
  care professionals.

3
Objectives

1. Define key terms introduced in this chapter.
2. Use terms of anatomical position, planes, and
   direction and movement to describe the anatomy of
   the body. 24-29
3. Apply knowledge of common medical prefixes,
   suffixes, and roots (combining forms) to
   determine the meaning of medical terms. 32-35

4
Objectives

1. Use common medical terminology in communication
   with other health care providers, including
   inpatient care documentation. 31-35
2. Differentiate between accepted standard and
   nonstandard medical symbols and abbreviations.
   32-35

5
Introduction

• Every profession has a unique language that
  allows precise and efficient transmission of
  meaning among individuals who are fluent in the
  language.

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Introduction

• Medical terminology
• Used by health care professionals
• Common prefixes, root words, suffixes
• Common symbols, abbreviations, conventions for
  writing numbers

7
Think About It

• How could Cameron rewrite the report using
  medical terms?
• What are the advantages of using medical terms in
  patient care documentation?

8
Think About It

• What are some possible disadvantages of using
  medical terms?
• What should you do if you cannot remember or are
  unsure of a medical term when communicating
  orally or in writing?

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Medical Terminology Basics

• Root word
• Foundation of medical term

10
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-1 Commonly Used Root Words with
  Combining Forms.

11
Medical Terminology Basics

• Prefix
• Placed at beginning of root word to modify meaning

12
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-2 Numeric/Quantitative Prefixes.

13
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-3 Common Prefixes.

14
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-3 Common Prefixes.

15
Medical Terminology Basics

• Suffix
• Placed at end of root word to modify meaning

16
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-4 Common Suffixes.

17
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-4 Common Suffixes.

18
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-4 Common Suffixes.

19
Medical Terminology Basics

• Combining vowel
• Connects root word to suffix, or combines two
  root words

20
Medical Terminology Basics

• Spelling and pronunciation are important.
• Rules for pluralizing medical terms based on
  letter(s) in which the term ends.

21
Medical Terminology Basics

• Table 7-5 Rules for Pluralizing Medical Terms.

22
Medical Terminology Basics

• Avoid jargon or slang.

23
Think About It

• What are the potential consequences of misspelled
  or mispronounced medical terms?

24
Anatomical Terms

• Figure 71 Terms of position and direction.

25
Anatomical Terms

• Figure 73 For reference, the body, or any of
  its parts, can be divided by imaginary planes.

26
Anatomical Terms

• Figure 74 Many medical terms refer to the main
  body cavities.

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Anatomical Terms

• Terms of position and direction useful in
  describing location of body structures and
  abnormal findings.
• Anatomical position and body planes are points of
  reference.

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Anatomical Terms

• Table 7-6 Terms of Position and Direction.

29
Anatomical Terms

• Table 7-6 Terms of Position and Direction.

30
Think About It

• Proper patient positioning can reduce pain,
  improve breathing and increase patient comfort.
• Prone
• Left lateral recumbent
• Right lateral recumbent
• Supine
• Fowler
• Semi-Fowler

31
Terms by Body System

• Each body system has particular terms associated
  with it.
• Musculoskeletal system
• Cardiovascular
• Blood and immune system
• Nervous system
• Respiratory system
• Gastrointestinal system

32
Terms by Body System

• Table 7-13 Commonly Accepted Medical
  Abbreviations and Symbols.

33
Terms by Body System

• Table 7-14 Standard Medical Charting
  Abbreviations.

34
Terms by Body System

• Table 7-14 Standard Medical Charting
  Abbreviations.

35
Terms by Body System

• Table 7-14 Standard Medical Charting
  Abbreviations.

36
Think About It

• Pt. A and O x3. Skin warm, moist, normal in
  color. Vital signs blood pressure 118/72, pulse
  84R, respiration rate 16. PE Superficial
  lacerations and abrasions to palmar surfaces of
  hands, bilaterally. Deformity to anterior left
  leg 3 inches proximal to ankle, with edema and
  discoloration. Distal pulse, motor, and sensory
  function intact.

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Chapter Summary

• Unique language identifies particular professions
  used by its members.
• Proper use of medical terminology, symbols, and
  abbreviations required of all health care
  providers.
• Medical terms identified by common root words,
  prefixes, and suffixes.

38
Chapter Summary

• Use proper term, proper spelling, and accepted
  symbols and abbreviations.
• When in doubt, use medical dictionary to confirm
  meanings.
• If you cannot find clarification, use plain
  language to express ideas.