Medical Terminology Suffixes Practice Questions

76 multiple-choice questions on Suffixes 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 suffix -itis means:

   1. A. Surgical removal
   2. B. Inflammation
   3. C. Tumor
   4. D. Pain
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Inflammation

   Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi.

2. The suffix -ectomy means:

   1. A. Creation of an opening
   2. B. Visual examination
   3. C. Incision into
   4. D. Surgical removal
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Surgical removal

   Appendectomy is removal of the appendix.

3. The suffix -otomy means:

   1. A. Surgical removal
   2. B. Cutting into
   3. C. Visual examination
   4. D. Surgical repair
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Cutting into

   -otomy means incision or cutting into; thoracotomy is an incision into the chest.

4. The suffix -ostomy means:

   1. A. Cutting into
   2. B. Surgical repair
   3. C. Creating an opening
   4. D. Surgical removal
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Creating an opening

   -ostomy means creation of an artificial opening; a colostomy creates an opening from the colon to the abdominal wall.

5. The suffix -algia means:

   1. A. Weakness
   2. B. Pain
   3. C. Swelling
   4. D. Hardening
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Pain

   Neuralgia is nerve pain.

6. The suffix -emia refers to:

   1. A. A skin condition
   2. B. A urine condition
   3. C. A blood condition
   4. D. A breathing condition
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A blood condition

   Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

7. The suffix -pnea refers to:

   1. A. Breathing
   2. B. The heart
   3. C. Blood pressure
   4. D. Digestion
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Breathing

   Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat.

8. The suffix -megaly means:

   1. A. Shrinkage
   2. B. Rupture
   3. C. Enlargement
   4. D. Inflammation
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Enlargement

   Cardiomegaly is enlargement of the heart.

9. The suffix -osis means:

   1. A. Inflammation of a part
   2. B. Surgical repair of a part
   3. C. The study of a part
   4. D. An abnormal condition
   Show answer

   Answer: D. An abnormal condition

   Cyanosis is the abnormal condition of blue discoloration.

10. The suffix -pathy means:

    1. A. Inflammation
    2. B. Surgical repair
    3. C. Paralysis
    4. D. Disease
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Disease

    Neuropathy is disease of the nerves.

11. The suffix -plegia means:

    1. A. Pain
    2. B. Spasm
    3. C. Paralysis
    4. D. Weakness
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Paralysis

    Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower body.

12. The suffix -scopy means:

    1. A. Visual examination
    2. B. Cutting into a part
    3. C. Recording an image
    4. D. Measurement of a value
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Visual examination

    -scopy is visual examination with an instrument; laryngoscopy is visualizing the larynx.

13. The suffix -gram refers to:

    1. A. The study of the result
    2. B. The recording procedure
    3. C. The record or image produced
    4. D. The recording instrument
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The record or image produced

    An electrocardiogram is the record; the machine is the electrocardiograph.

14. The suffix -ology means:

    1. A. Surgical repair
    2. B. Disease of
    3. C. Inflammation
    4. D. The study of
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The study of

    Cardiology is the study of the heart.

15. The suffix -uria refers to:

    1. A. The liver
    2. B. The stomach
    3. C. The blood
    4. D. Urine
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Urine

    Hematuria is blood in the urine.

16. The suffix -emesis refers to:

    1. A. Vomiting
    2. B. Urinating
    3. C. Swallowing
    4. D. Coughing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Vomiting

    Hematemesis is vomiting blood.

17. The suffix -ac or -al means:

    1. A. Inflammation
    2. B. Pertaining to
    3. C. Pain
    4. D. Removal
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Pertaining to

    Cardiac means pertaining to the heart.

18. A patient with influenza complains of aching muscles all over. This symptom is:

    1. A. Myalgia
    2. B. Arthralgia
    3. C. Neuralgia
    4. D. Cephalgia
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Myalgia

    My/o means muscle and -algia means pain. Arthralgia is joint pain, neuralgia is pain along a nerve, and cephalgia is headache.

19. The suffix -asthenia means:

    1. A. Strength
    2. B. Weakness
    3. C. Swelling
    4. D. Pain
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Weakness

    Myasthenia is muscle weakness.

20. The suffix -cele means:

    1. A. Inflammation or swelling
    2. B. Tumor or mass
    3. C. Cell or cell body
    4. D. Hernia or protrusion
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Hernia or protrusion

    A hydrocele is a fluid-filled protrusion.

21. The suffix -centesis means:

    1. A. Surgical removal of an organ
    2. B. Puncture to remove fluid
    3. C. Inflammation of a cavity
    4. D. Surgical repair of a wall
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Puncture to remove fluid

    -centesis is a surgical puncture to remove fluid; thoracentesis drains the chest.

22. The suffix -cyte means:

    1. A. Organ
    2. B. Tissue
    3. C. Cell
    4. D. Blood
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Cell

    Erythrocyte is a red cell.

23. The suffix -dynia means:

    1. A. Swelling
    2. B. Enlargement
    3. C. Pain
    4. D. Weakness
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pain

    It is a synonym for -algia.

24. The suffix -ectasis means:

    1. A. Narrowing or stricture
    2. B. Collapse or closure
    3. C. Dilation or expansion
    4. D. Hardening or thickening
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Dilation or expansion

    Bronchiectasis is dilated bronchi; atelectasis is collapse.

25. A patient says her gallbladder was removed last year. Her surgical history includes a:

    1. A. Cholecystectomy
    2. B. Cholecystitis
    3. C. Cholecystotomy
    4. D. Cholelithiasis
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Cholecystectomy

    -ectomy means surgical removal. Cholecystitis is gallbladder inflammation. Cholecystotomy is an incision into the gallbladder without removing it, and cholelithiasis means gallstones are present.

26. The suffix -edema means:

    1. A. Dryness of tissue
    2. B. Redness of skin
    3. C. Swelling
    4. D. Pain in tissue
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Swelling

    -edema is swelling from fluid; lymphedema is lymph-related swelling.

27. A patient vomiting bright red blood has:

    1. A. Hematemesis
    2. B. Hemoptysis
    3. C. Hematochezia
    4. D. Melena
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hematemesis

    Hemat/o means blood and -emesis means vomiting. Hemoptysis is coughing up blood. Hematochezia is bright red blood from the rectum, and melena is black, tarry stool from upper GI bleeding.

28. A serum potassium of 6.8 mEq/L is described as:

    1. A. Hypokalemia
    2. B. Hypernatremia
    3. C. Hyperkalemia
    4. D. Hypercalcemia
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Hyperkalemia

    Hyper- means excessive, kal/i means potassium, and -emia means a blood condition. Hyperkalemia can cause peaked T waves and dysrhythmias. Hypokalemia is low potassium. Natr/o refers to sodium and calc/i to calcium.

29. The suffix -genic means:

    1. A. Pertaining to weakness
    2. B. Pertaining to pain
    3. C. Originating from
    4. D. Pertaining to blood
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Originating from

    -genic means producing or originating from; cardiogenic shock originates in the heart.

30. The paper strip printed from the cardiac monitor is an:

    1. A. Electrocardiograph
    2. B. Electrocardiogram
    3. C. Electrocardiography
    4. D. Echocardiogram
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Electrocardiogram

    -gram means the record produced. -graph is the instrument that records, and -graphy is the process of recording. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound image of the heart, not an electrical tracing.

31. The suffix -graph means:

    1. A. The record produced
    2. B. The recording process
    3. C. The recording instrument
    4. D. The study of a part
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The recording instrument

    -graph is the instrument that records; an electrocardiograph is the machine.

32. The suffix -graphy means:

    1. A. The recording instrument
    2. B. The process of recording
    3. C. The record produced
    4. D. The study of a part
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The process of recording

    Angiography is the procedure.

33. The suffix -ia means:

    1. A. Instrument
    2. B. Procedure
    3. C. Condition
    4. D. Study
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Condition

    Tachycardia is a condition of fast heart.

34. The suffix -iasis means:

    1. A. Presence of
    2. B. Inflammation of
    3. C. Surgical removal of
    4. D. Study of
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Presence of

    -iasis means condition or presence of; cholelithiasis is the presence of gallstones.

35. The suffix -ism means:

    1. A. Pain
    2. B. Condition
    3. C. Surgical removal
    4. D. Inflammation
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Condition

    -ism means a condition or process; hyperthyroidism is a condition.

36. Right lower quadrant pain with fever suggests inflammation of the appendix, called:

    1. A. Appendicitis
    2. B. Appendectomy
    3. C. Appendicostomy
    4. D. Appendicolith
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Appendicitis

    -itis means inflammation. An appendectomy is surgical removal, an appendicostomy is a surgical opening, and an appendicolith is a stone in the appendix, which can cause appendicitis but is not the inflammation itself.

37. The suffix -lith means:

    1. A. Stone
    2. B. Fluid
    3. C. Tumor
    4. D. Cell
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stone

    Nephrolith is a kidney stone.

38. The suffix -logy means:

    1. A. Procedure
    2. B. Disease
    3. C. Specialist
    4. D. Study of
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Study of

    Pathology is the study of disease.

39. The suffix -logist means:

    1. A. An instrument for
    2. B. The study of
    3. C. A disease of
    4. D. A specialist in
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A specialist in

    -logist means one who specializes in the study of; a cardiologist is a heart specialist.

40. The suffix -lysis means:

    1. A. Enlargement
    2. B. Breakdown
    3. C. Inflammation
    4. D. Formation
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Breakdown

    -lysis means breakdown or destruction; hemolysis is red cell destruction.

41. The suffix -malacia means:

    1. A. Enlargement
    2. B. Hardening
    3. C. Inflammation
    4. D. Softening
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Softening

    Osteomalacia is bone softening.

42. A patient with mononucleosis has an enlarged spleen on exam. This is:

    1. A. Hepatomegaly
    2. B. Splenectomy
    3. C. Splenomegaly
    4. D. Splenitis
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Splenomegaly

    Splen/o means spleen and -megaly means enlargement. Hepatomegaly is an enlarged liver, splenectomy is removal of the spleen, and splenitis is inflammation. An enlarged spleen ruptures more easily with minor trauma.

43. The suffix -meter means:

    1. A. A measuring instrument
    2. B. The study of
    3. C. A measuring process
    4. D. A recorded image
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A measuring instrument

    -meter is an instrument for measuring; a glucometer measures blood glucose.

44. The suffix -oma means:

    1. A. Tumor or mass
    2. B. Inflammation
    3. C. Pain
    4. D. Removal
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Tumor or mass

    Hematoma is a mass of blood.

45. Bluish discoloration of the lips in a hypoxic patient is called:

    1. A. Pallor
    2. B. Erythema
    3. C. Cyanosis
    4. D. Jaundice
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Cyanosis

    Cyan/o means blue and -osis means an abnormal condition. Cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxemia. Pallor is paleness, erythema is redness, and jaundice is yellowing from bilirubin.

46. A patient has a pouch on the abdomen collecting stool from the large intestine. This is a:

    1. A. Colectomy
    2. B. Colotomy
    3. C. Colostomy
    4. D. Colonoscopy
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Colostomy

    -ostomy means a surgical opening, here from the colon to the skin. Colectomy is removal of colon tissue, colotomy is an incision into the colon, and colonoscopy is viewing the colon with a scope.

47. An emergency incision through the cricothyroid membrane to place an airway is a:

    1. A. Tracheostomy
    2. B. Tracheectomy
    3. C. Cricothyrotomy
    4. D. Laryngoscopy
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Cricothyrotomy

    -otomy means cutting into. A tracheostomy is a surgically created, usually long-term, opening into the trachea. Tracheectomy would mean removal of the trachea. Laryngoscopy is visual examination of the larynx.

48. The suffix -paresis means:

    1. A. Pain and numbness
    2. B. Muscle spasm
    3. C. Weakness
    4. D. Complete paralysis
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Weakness

    -paresis means partial paralysis or weakness; hemiparesis is one-sided weakness.

49. A diabetic with numbness and burning in both feet from nerve damage has peripheral:

    1. A. Neuralgia
    2. B. Neuritis
    3. C. Neuropathy
    4. D. Neuroplasty
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Neuropathy

    -pathy means disease, so neuropathy is disease of the nerves. Diabetic neuropathy also hides foot injuries and can mask anginal pain. Neuralgia is pain along a single nerve, neuritis is inflammation, and neuroplasty is surgical repair.

50. The suffix -penia means:

    1. A. Excess
    2. B. Deficiency
    3. C. Inflammation
    4. D. Pain
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Deficiency

    Thrombocytopenia is low platelets.

51. The suffix -pexy means:

    1. A. Surgical removal
    2. B. Surgical repair
    3. C. Fixation
    4. D. Incision into
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Fixation

    -pexy means surgical fixation; orchiopexy fixes a testis.

52. The suffix -phagia means:

    1. A. Breathing
    2. B. Speaking
    3. C. Swallowing
    4. D. Seeing
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Swallowing

    -phagia means eating or swallowing; dysphagia is difficult swallowing.

53. The suffix -phasia means:

    1. A. Speech
    2. B. Swallowing
    3. C. Movement
    4. D. Breathing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Speech

    Aphasia is loss of speech ability.

54. The suffix -philia means:

    1. A. Excess or overflow
    2. B. Attraction
    3. C. Fear or aversion
    4. D. Deficiency
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Attraction

    -philia means attraction or affinity; hemophilia originally meant love of bleeding.

55. The suffix -phobia means:

    1. A. Weakness
    2. B. Fear
    3. C. Attraction
    4. D. Pain
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Fear

    Photophobia is light sensitivity.

56. The suffix -plasty means:

    1. A. Surgical removal
    2. B. Surgical fixation
    3. C. Incision into
    4. D. Surgical repair
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Surgical repair

    Angioplasty repairs a vessel.

57. After a diving injury, a patient cannot move his arms or legs. This is:

    1. A. Paraplegia
    2. B. Hemiplegia
    3. C. Quadriparesis
    4. D. Quadriplegia
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Quadriplegia

    Quadri- means four and -plegia means paralysis, which suggests a cervical cord injury. Paraplegia spares the arms. Hemiplegia affects one side. Quadriparesis is weakness, not complete paralysis, of all four limbs.

58. A patient with heart failure needs three pillows to breathe comfortably at night. This is:

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

    Answer: A. Orthopnea

    Orth/o means straight or upright and -pnea means breathing, so orthopnea is dyspnea that is worse lying flat and better sitting up. It is classic for heart failure. Apnea is absent breathing, and bradypnea and tachypnea describe the rate.

59. The suffix -poiesis means:

    1. A. Formation
    2. B. Enlargement
    3. C. Destruction
    4. D. Hardening
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Formation

    -poiesis means formation or production; hematopoiesis is blood formation.

60. The suffix -ptosis means:

    1. A. Pain
    2. B. Swelling
    3. C. Elevation
    4. D. Drooping
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Drooping

    -ptosis means drooping or sagging; eyelid ptosis is a drooping upper lid.

61. The suffix -rrhage or -rrhagia means:

    1. A. Rupture of a wall
    2. B. Surgical suturing
    3. C. Excessive bleeding
    4. D. Flow or discharge
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Excessive bleeding

    -rrhage means bursting forth, usually excessive bleeding, as in hemorrhage.

62. The suffix -rrhaphy means:

    1. A. Excessive bleeding
    2. B. Surgical suturing
    3. C. Flow or discharge
    4. D. Rupture
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Surgical suturing

    Herniorrhaphy.

63. The suffix -rrhea means:

    1. A. Surgical suturing
    2. B. Excessive bleeding
    3. C. Flow or discharge
    4. D. Rupture of a wall
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Flow or discharge

    Rhinorrhea and diarrhea.

64. The suffix -rrhexis means:

    1. A. Suturing
    2. B. Bleeding
    3. C. Rupture
    4. D. Flow
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Rupture

    Cardiorrhexis is heart rupture.

65. The suffix -sclerosis means:

    1. A. Softening
    2. B. Inflammation
    3. C. Enlargement
    4. D. Hardening
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Hardening

    Atherosclerosis.

66. The suffix -scope means:

    1. A. Record produced
    2. B. Viewing instrument
    3. C. Study of a part
    4. D. Process of viewing
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Viewing instrument

    -scope is an instrument for viewing; a laryngoscope views the larynx.

67. Looking at the vocal cords with a laryngoscope during intubation is:

    1. A. Laryngotomy
    2. B. Laryngoscopy
    3. C. Laryngectomy
    4. D. Laryngoplasty
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Laryngoscopy

    -scopy is the process of visual examination with a scope. Laryngotomy is an incision into the larynx, laryngectomy is its removal, and laryngoplasty is surgical repair.

68. The suffix -spasm means:

    1. A. Progressive weakness
    2. B. Involuntary contraction
    3. C. Sharp radiating pain
    4. D. Sudden loss of tone
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Involuntary contraction

    -spasm is a sudden involuntary contraction, as in bronchospasm and laryngospasm.

69. The suffix -stasis means:

    1. A. Rupturing
    2. B. Stopping
    3. C. Flowing
    4. D. Forming
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stopping

    -stasis means stopping or controlling; hemostasis stops bleeding.

70. The suffix -stenosis means:

    1. A. Softening
    2. B. Dilation
    3. C. Narrowing
    4. D. Hardening
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Narrowing

    Aortic stenosis.

71. The suffix -tomy and -ectomy differ in that -tomy means:

    1. A. Creation of an opening
    2. B. Removal of the part
    3. C. Incision without removal
    4. D. Repair of the part
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Incision without removal

    Cut versus cut out: -tomy cuts into, -ectomy cuts out.

72. The suffix -tripsy means:

    1. A. Softening
    2. B. Formation
    3. C. Dissolving
    4. D. Crushing
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Crushing

    Lithotripsy crushes stones.

73. The suffix -trophy means:

    1. A. Nourishment or growth
    2. B. Paralysis or weakness
    3. C. Process of study
    4. D. Surgical removal
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Nourishment or growth

    Hypertrophy is overdevelopment. Hypertrophy is overdevelopment; atrophy is wasting from lack of nourishment.

74. A patient whose urine is visibly bloody after a kidney injury has:

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

    Answer: D. Hematuria

    Hemat/o means blood and -uria refers to urine. Dysuria is painful urination, anuria is no urine output, and polyuria is excessive urination.

75. The suffix -tension means:

    1. A. Relaxation
    2. B. Pain
    3. C. Swelling
    4. D. Pressure
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pressure

    Hypertension.

76. The suffix -oid means:

    1. A. Removal
    2. B. Inflammation
    3. C. Resembling
    4. D. Study
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Resembling

    Lipoid resembles fat.