Medical Terminology Prefixes Practice Questions

76 multiple-choice questions on Prefixes for paramedic and EMT students, from Chapter 7 (Medical Terminology). Read each question, pick your answer, then tap Show answer to check it and read the explanation.

76 practice questions

1. The prefix brady- means:

   1. A. Difficult
   2. B. Slow
   3. C. Fast
   4. D. Without
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Slow

   Bradycardia is a slow heart rate.

2. The prefix tachy- means:

   1. A. Around
   2. B. Painful
   3. C. Slow
   4. D. Rapid
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Rapid

   Tachypnea is rapid breathing.

3. The prefix hypo- means:

   1. A. Around or near
   2. B. Below or under
   3. C. Within or inside
   4. D. Above or excessive
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Below or under

   Hypo- means below normal or under; hypoglycemia is low blood glucose.

4. The prefix hyper- means:

   1. A. Below or deficient
   2. B. Through or across
   3. C. Beside or near
   4. D. Above or excessive
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Above or excessive

   Hypertension is high blood pressure.

5. The prefixes a- and an- mean:

   1. A. Toward or near
   2. B. Many or much
   3. C. Without or absent
   4. D. Painful or difficult
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Without or absent

   Apnea means absence of breathing.

6. The prefix dys- means:

   1. A. Rapid or excessive
   2. B. Normal or healthy
   3. C. Surrounding or around
   4. D. Difficult or painful
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Difficult or painful

   Dys- means difficult, painful, or abnormal. Dyspnea is difficult breathing; dysphagia is difficult swallowing.

7. The prefix peri- means:

   1. A. Around
   2. B. After or behind
   3. C. Through or across
   4. D. Beneath or under
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Around

   Peri- means around or surrounding; the pericardium is the sac around the heart.

8. The prefix endo- means:

   1. A. Between two parts
   2. B. Before or ahead
   3. C. Within or inner
   4. D. Outside or outer
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Within or inner

   Endotracheal means within the trachea.

9. The prefix epi- means:

   1. A. Away from
   2. B. Below or beneath
   3. C. Between or among
   4. D. Upon or over
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Upon or over

   Epidermis is the layer upon the dermis.

10. The prefix sub- means:

    1. A. Between or among
    2. B. Above or over
    3. C. Around or about
    4. D. Under or below
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Under or below

    Sublingual means under the tongue.

11. The prefix inter- means:

    1. A. Within
    2. B. Between
    3. C. After
    4. D. Around
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Between

    Intercostal means between the ribs.

12. The prefix intra- means:

    1. A. Within
    2. B. Outside
    3. C. Before
    4. D. Between
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Within

    Intravenous means within a vein.

13. The prefix poly- means:

    1. A. Against
    2. B. Many
    3. C. Half or partial
    4. D. Few or scant
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Many

    Poly- means many or much; polyuria means excessive urination.

14. The prefix hemi- means:

    1. A. Double
    2. B. Whole
    3. C. Around
    4. D. Half
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Half

    Hemiplegia is paralysis of one side of the body.

15. The prefix anti- means:

    1. A. With
    2. B. After
    3. C. Against
    4. D. Before
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Against

    Antipyretic works against fever.

16. The prefix post- means:

    1. A. After
    2. B. During
    3. C. Beside
    4. D. Before
    Show answer

    Answer: A. After

    Postictal refers to the period after a seizure.

17. The prefix ab- means:

    1. A. Away from
    2. B. Around
    3. C. Toward
    4. D. Alongside
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Away from

    Abduction moves a limb away from midline.

18. The prefix ad- means:

    1. A. Against
    2. B. Away from
    3. C. Toward
    4. D. Below
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Toward

    Adduction moves toward midline.

19. The prefix ante- means:

    1. A. Around
    2. B. After
    3. C. Before
    4. D. Against
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Before

    Antepartum means before birth.

20. The prefix bi- means:

    1. A. Half
    2. B. One
    3. C. Two
    4. D. Three
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Two

    Bilateral means both sides.

21. A patient's monitor shows a heart rate of 42/min. The rate is best described as:

    1. A. Tachycardia
    2. B. Bradycardia
    3. C. Bradypnea
    4. D. Tachypnea
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Bradycardia

    Brady- means slow and -cardia means heart, so bradycardia is a heart rate below 60/min in an adult. Tachycardia is a fast heart rate. Bradypnea and tachypnea describe the breathing rate (-pnea), not the pulse.

22. The prefix circum- means:

    1. A. Around
    2. B. Within
    3. C. Below
    4. D. Through
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Around

    Circumoral cyanosis is blueness around the mouth.

23. The prefix contra- means:

    1. A. Against or opposite
    2. B. With or together
    3. C. Toward or near
    4. D. Before or ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Against or opposite

    Contraindication is a reason against.

24. The prefix de- means:

    1. A. Within or inside
    2. B. Down or removal
    3. C. Around or about
    4. D. Up or increase
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Down or removal

    Decompensation is loss of compensation.

25. The prefix dia- means:

    1. A. Against or opposite
    2. B. Below or under
    3. C. Through or across
    4. D. Within or inside
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Through or across

    Diaphoresis is sweating through the skin.

26. A patient who reports painful or difficult urination has:

    1. A. Anuria
    2. B. Polyuria
    3. C. Dysuria
    4. D. Hematuria
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Dysuria

    Dys- means difficult, painful, or abnormal, and -uria refers to urine. Anuria is no urine output, polyuria is excessive urination, and hematuria is blood in the urine.

27. The prefix ecto- or exo- means:

    1. A. Between
    2. B. Inside
    3. C. Around
    4. D. Outside
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Outside

    Ectopic means out of place.

28. Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, a known risk of IV drug use, is:

    1. A. Pericarditis
    2. B. Myocarditis
    3. C. Epicarditis
    4. D. Endocarditis
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Endocarditis

    Endo- means within, so endocarditis involves the endocardium and valves; injected bacteria seed the valves. Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac around the heart, myocarditis of the muscle, and epicarditis of the outer layer.

29. The prefix eu- means:

    1. A. Bad or poor
    2. B. Fast or rapid
    3. C. Absent or lacking
    4. D. Good or normal
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Good or normal

    Eupnea is normal breathing.

30. A stroke patient cannot move his right arm or right leg at all. This is documented as:

    1. A. Right hemiparesis
    2. B. Paraplegia
    3. C. Quadriplegia
    4. D. Right hemiplegia
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Right hemiplegia

    Hemi- means half and -plegia means paralysis, so this is complete loss of movement on one side. Hemiparesis is weakness on one side, not paralysis. Paraplegia affects the lower body and quadriplegia affects all four limbs.

31. A blood glucose of 486 mg/dL is described as:

    1. A. Hyperglycemia
    2. B. Hypoglycemia
    3. C. Glycosuria
    4. D. Hypercapnia
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hyperglycemia

    Hyper- means above or excessive, glyc/o means sugar, and -emia means a blood condition. Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. Glycosuria is sugar in the urine, and hypercapnia is excess carbon dioxide.

32. A patient with a core temperature of 32 C (89.6 F) has:

    1. A. Hyperthermia
    2. B. Hypothermia
    3. C. Hypotension
    4. D. Hypoxia
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Hypothermia

    Hypo- means below or deficient and therm/o means heat, so hypothermia is a core temperature below 35 C. Hyperthermia is a high temperature. Hypotension and hypoxia use the same prefix but describe low blood pressure and low tissue oxygen.

33. The prefix infra- means:

    1. A. Below
    2. B. Within
    3. C. Above
    4. D. Between
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Below

    Infraorbital means below the eye socket.

34. Retractions seen between the ribs of a child in respiratory distress are called:

    1. A. Intracostal retractions
    2. B. Supraclavicular retractions
    3. C. Substernal retractions
    4. D. Intercostal retractions
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Intercostal retractions

    Inter- means between and cost/o means rib, so intercostal retractions are seen between the ribs. 'Intracostal' would mean inside a rib, which is not used. Supraclavicular retractions are above the clavicles, and substernal retractions are below the sternum.

35. A medication given into the marrow cavity of the proximal tibia is given by which route?

    1. A. Intravenous
    2. B. Intraosseous
    3. C. Intramuscular
    4. D. Subcutaneous
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Intraosseous

    Intra- means within and oss/e means bone, so the IO route delivers drugs into the marrow cavity, which drains into the central circulation. Intravenous is into a vein, intramuscular into a muscle, and subcutaneous beneath the skin.

36. The prefix macro- means:

    1. A. Small
    2. B. Few
    3. C. Large
    4. D. Many
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Large

    Macroscopic is visible to the naked eye.

37. The prefix micro- means:

    1. A. Small
    2. B. Large
    3. C. Many
    4. D. Half
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Small

    Microdrip delivers small drops.

38. The prefix mono- means:

    1. A. Two
    2. B. One
    3. C. Half
    4. D. Many
    Show answer

    Answer: B. One

    Monoplegia is paralysis of one limb.

39. A patient with new-onset diabetes reports excessive thirst. This is:

    1. A. Polyuria
    2. B. Polyphagia
    3. C. Dysphagia
    4. D. Polydipsia
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Polydipsia

    Poly- means many or much and -dipsia means thirst. Polyuria (excess urination) and polyphagia (excess hunger) complete the classic triad of hyperglycemia. Dysphagia is difficult swallowing.

40. The prefix neo- means:

    1. A. Normal
    2. B. New
    3. C. Half
    4. D. Old
    Show answer

    Answer: B. New

    Neonate is a newborn.

41. The prefix oligo- means:

    1. A. Many or much
    2. B. Excessive or extra
    3. C. Normal or usual
    4. D. Few or scant
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Few or scant

    Oliguria is scant urine output.

42. The prefix pan- means:

    1. A. None
    2. B. Half
    3. C. All
    4. D. Around
    Show answer

    Answer: C. All

    Pandemic affects all regions.

43. The prefix para- means:

    1. A. Beside or near
    2. B. Above or over
    3. C. Within or inside
    4. D. Through or across
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Beside or near

    Para- means beside, near, or abnormal; paraplegia affects the lower body.

44. Sharp chest pain that eases when the patient leans forward suggests inflammation of the sac around the heart, called:

    1. A. Endocarditis
    2. B. Myocarditis
    3. C. Pleuritis
    4. D. Pericarditis
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pericarditis

    Peri- means around, so pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium. It classically causes positional pleuritic chest pain relieved by leaning forward. Endocarditis affects the inner lining and myocarditis the muscle. Pleuritis is inflammation of the lung lining.

45. Heavy bleeding after delivery of the baby and placenta is called:

    1. A. Antepartum hemorrhage
    2. B. Intrapartum hemorrhage
    3. C. Prenatal hemorrhage
    4. D. Postpartum hemorrhage
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Postpartum hemorrhage

    Post- means after, and -partum refers to birth. Antepartum and prenatal mean before birth, and intrapartum means during labor. Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal death and is treated with fundal massage and transport.

46. The prefix pre- means:

    1. A. During
    2. B. Before
    3. C. Within
    4. D. After
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Before

    Preload is the load before contraction.

47. The prefix pseudo- means:

    1. A. True
    2. B. Old
    3. C. False
    4. D. New
    Show answer

    Answer: C. False

    Pseudoseizure is a nonepileptic event.

48. The prefix quadri- means:

    1. A. Two
    2. B. Four
    3. C. Three
    4. D. Many
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Four

    Quadriplegia affects all four limbs.

49. The prefix retro- means:

    1. A. Forward or ahead
    2. B. Above or over
    3. C. Within or inside
    4. D. Backward or behind
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Backward or behind

    Retroperitoneal is behind the peritoneum.

50. The prefix semi- means:

    1. A. Half or partial
    2. B. Many or much
    3. C. Double or twice
    4. D. Whole or complete
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Half or partial

    Semi-Fowler is a partial sitting position.

51. After chest trauma, you feel crackling air under the skin of the neck. This is:

    1. A. Subdural emphysema
    2. B. Subcutaneous emphysema
    3. C. Intravascular air
    4. D. Epidermal edema
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Subcutaneous emphysema

    Sub- means under and cutane/o means skin, so subcutaneous emphysema is air trapped beneath the skin. It often signals a pneumothorax or airway injury. Subdural refers to beneath the dura of the brain. Intravascular air is inside vessels. Edema is fluid, not air.

52. The prefix supra- or super- means:

    1. A. Below
    2. B. Above
    3. C. Within
    4. D. Between
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Above

    Supraventricular is above the ventricles.

53. An adult breathing 34 times per minute has:

    1. A. Bradypnea
    2. B. Tachypnea
    3. C. Tachycardia
    4. D. Apnea
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Tachypnea

    Tachy- means fast and -pnea means breathing, so tachypnea is an adult rate above about 20/min. Bradypnea is slow breathing, tachycardia is a fast pulse, and apnea is absent breathing.

54. The prefix trans- means:

    1. A. Above or over
    2. B. Across or through
    3. C. Around or about
    4. D. Within or inside
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Across or through

    Transdermal is across the skin.

55. The prefix tri- means:

    1. A. Many
    2. B. Three
    3. C. Two
    4. D. Four
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Three

    Tricuspid valve has three cusps.

56. The prefix uni- means:

    1. A. Half
    2. B. One
    3. C. Two
    4. D. Many
    Show answer

    Answer: B. One

    Unilateral is one side.

57. A patient with kidney failure has produced no urine for 24 hours. This is:

    1. A. Dysuria
    2. B. Polyuria
    3. C. Oliguria
    4. D. Anuria
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Anuria

    An- means without, so anuria is no urine output. Oliguria (oligo-, few) is a reduced but present output. Dysuria is painful urination and polyuria is excessive urination.

58. Ondansetron given for vomiting is classified as an:

    1. A. Antipyretic
    2. B. Anticoagulant
    3. C. Antihypertensive
    4. D. Antiemetic
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Antiemetic

    Anti- means against and emesis means vomiting. Antipyretics act against fever, anticoagulants against clotting, and antihypertensives against high blood pressure.

59. The prefix auto- means:

    1. A. Fast
    2. B. Other
    3. C. Self
    4. D. Many
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Self

    Autoimmune means immune against self.

60. The prefix con- or syn- means:

    1. A. Apart or separate
    2. B. Before or ahead
    3. C. Against or opposite
    4. D. Together or with
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Together or with

    Syndrome is signs occurring together.

61. The prefix dis- means:

    1. A. Within or inside
    2. B. Together or with
    3. C. Around or about
    4. D. Apart or absence
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Apart or absence

    Dislocation is apart from location.

62. A head CT shows blood collected between the skull and the dura. This is an:

    1. A. Subdural hematoma
    2. B. Epidural hematoma
    3. C. Intracerebral hematoma
    4. D. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Epidural hematoma

    Epi- means upon or over, so an epidural hematoma lies on top of the dura, usually from arterial bleeding after a temporal skull fracture. A subdural hematoma lies beneath the dura. Intracerebral bleeding is within the brain tissue, and subarachnoid bleeding is beneath the arachnoid layer.

63. The prefix ex- means:

    1. A. Into
    2. B. Within
    3. C. Around
    4. D. Out of
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Out of

    Exhalation moves air out.

64. The prefix hetero- means:

    1. A. Same or alike
    2. B. Different
    3. C. Many or several
    4. D. One or single
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Different

    Heterogeneous is of different kinds.

65. The prefix homo- means:

    1. A. Same
    2. B. Different
    3. C. Many
    4. D. Half
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Same

    Homeostasis keeps the same state.

66. The prefix iso- means:

    1. A. Different
    2. B. Many
    3. C. Half
    4. D. Equal
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Equal

    Isotonic has equal tonicity.

67. The prefix mal- means:

    1. A. Fast or rapid
    2. B. Bad or poor
    3. C. Good or well
    4. D. Large or great
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Bad or poor

    Malnutrition is poor nutrition.

68. The prefix meta- means:

    1. A. Within or inside
    2. B. Around or about
    3. C. Before or prior
    4. D. Change or beyond
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Change or beyond

    Metabolism involves change.

69. The prefix per- means:

    1. A. Within
    2. B. Through
    3. C. Around
    4. D. Above
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Through

    Percutaneous is through the skin.

70. The prefix primi- means:

    1. A. Second
    2. B. First
    3. C. Many
    4. D. Last
    Show answer

    Answer: B. First

    Primigravida is a first pregnancy.

71. The prefix re- means:

    1. A. Again or back
    2. B. Within or inside
    3. C. Forward or ahead
    4. D. Around or about
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Again or back

    Resuscitation brings back.

72. Hypertension and hypotension differ by:

    1. A. Vowel
    2. B. Root
    3. C. Suffix
    4. D. Prefix
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Prefix

    Hyper- versus hypo- reverse the meaning.

73. Which prefix pair are opposites?

    1. A. Hyper and hypo
    2. B. Poly and multi
    3. C. Endo and intra
    4. D. Peri and circum
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hyper and hypo

    Many prefixes come in opposing pairs.

74. Which prefix pair are synonyms?

    1. A. Brady and tachy
    2. B. Endo and intra
    3. C. Pre and post
    4. D. Hyper and hypo
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Endo and intra

    Both mean within.

75. The prefix in supraclavicular means the location is:

    1. A. Behind the clavicle
    2. B. Below the clavicle
    3. C. Within the clavicle
    4. D. Above the clavicle
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Above the clavicle

    Supra- means above.

76. The prefix in antecubital means:

    1. A. In front of the elbow
    2. B. Just above the elbow
    3. C. Inside the elbow joint
    4. D. On the back of the elbow
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In front of the elbow

    Ante- means before or in front.