Start with this short video, then scroll down for the full guide.
Why This Matters for Nursing: Medical terminology is built from Greek and Latin roots. Understanding word parts helps you decode unfamiliar terms without a dictionary — essential when reading charts, orders, and research.
Words can be broken into three parts: - Prefix: Beginning (changes meaning) - Root: Core meaning - Suffix: Ending (often changes part of speech)
Example: un-help-ful - un- (prefix) = not - help (root) = assist - -ful (suffix) = full of
PRS = "Press" - Prefix = beginning (before the root) - Root = core meaning - Suffix = ending (after the root)
Medical terms: Break into parts, translate each, combine! Cardio/myo/pathy = heart/muscle/disease = heart muscle disease
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| un- | not | unhealthy |
| dis- | not, opposite | disagree, disorder |
| in-/im-/il-/ir- | not | inactive, impossible, illegal, irregular |
| non- | not | nonverbal |
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mono-/uni- | one | monocyte, uniform |
| bi-/di- | two | bilateral, dioxide |
| tri- | three | tricuspid |
| quad- | four | quadrant |
| poly-/multi- | many | polypharmacy, multivitamin |
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pre- | before | prenatal |
| post- | after | postoperative |
| sub- | under | subcutaneous |
| super-/supra- | above | supraclavicular |
| inter- | between | intercostal |
| intra- | within | intravenous |
| extra- | outside | extracellular |
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| hyper- | excessive, high | hypertension |
| hypo- | under, low | hypoglycemia |
| tachy- | fast | tachycardia |
| brady- | slow | bradycardia |
| dys- | difficult, abnormal | dyspnea |
| anti- | against | antibiotic |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -tion/-sion | act of | medication, infusion |
| -ment | result of | treatment |
| -ness | state of | illness |
| -ity | quality of | severity |
| -er/-or | one who | caregiver, doctor |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ful | full of | careful |
| -less | without | painless |
| -able/-ible | capable of | treatable |
| -ous | characterized by | infectious |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -itis | inflammation | bronchitis |
| -ectomy | surgical removal | appendectomy |
| -ology | study of | cardiology |
| -ologist | specialist | cardiologist |
| -pathy | disease | neuropathy |
| -scope | instrument for viewing | stethoscope |
| -scopy | process of viewing | colonoscopy |
| -plasty | surgical repair | angioplasty |
| -emia | blood condition | anemia |
| -algia | pain | neuralgia |
| Root | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cardi/o | heart | cardiology |
| pulmon/o | lung | pulmonary |
| gastr/o | stomach | gastritis |
| neur/o | nerve | neurology |
| derm/a | skin | dermatitis |
| hemo/hemat/o | blood | hematology |
| osteo | bone | osteoporosis |
| arthr/o | joint | arthritis |
| nephr/o | kidney | nephrology |
| hepat/o | liver | hepatitis |
Term: Tachycardia
Step 1 — Look for a prefix, root, and suffix. Medical terms usually follow a predictable pattern: prefix (what kind?) + root (what body part/system?) + suffix (what condition or action?).
Step 2 — Identify the prefix: tachy- - Check your prefix table: tachy- = fast
Step 3 — Identify the root: cardi - Check your root table: cardi/o = heart
Step 4 — Identify the suffix: -a (in this case, "cardia" functions as a unit meaning "heart condition" or "heart rate condition") - Actually, "-cardia" as a suffix means "heart condition" — the heart's rhythm or rate
Step 5 — Combine the meanings: fast + heart condition = fast heart rate
Meaning: Tachycardia = an abnormally fast heart rate (typically over 100 beats per minute)
🏥 TEAS Tip: On the TEAS, you'll often be asked to choose a definition for an unfamiliar medical word. Don't panic — just break it apart piece by piece. Translate each piece, then combine.
The worked examples and practice problems are the part that actually prepares you for the TEAS.
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