H03 Medical Terminology
Directions: Be sure to save an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English, spelling and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be four (4) double-spaced pages; refer to the “Assignment Format” page located on the Course Home page for specific format requirements.
In Lessons 1 through 4, you learned foundational information on medical terminology and the organization of the body. In addition, medical language associated with the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, digestive, cardiovascular, blood and lymphatic, respiratory, and nervous systems was discussed. For this written assignment, the concepts learned from Lessons 1-4 will be applied. Please review the learning objectives for Lessons 1-4 prior to beginning work on this assignment.
In a four-page summary, address the following questions.
Part A: Discuss word root, prefix, suffix, and combining form in relation to determining the meaning of medical terms.
Part B: Explain how the phonetically spelled pronunciation guide aids you to pronounce medical words or phrases correctly. Give at least 3 examples of medical words that would have a different meaning if pronounced incorrectly. What effect could mispronouncing these 3 words have on patients?
Part C: Choose one of the major systems you learned about in Lessons 1 through 4. In your own words, describe the major organs within that system, how they work together to perform the major functions of the system, and at least 2 illnesses related to the system.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Medical terminology is the foundation of the medical field. As a medical professor, it is important to have a thorough understanding of medical terminology and to be able to effectively communicate this knowledge to students. In this assignment, we will review the concepts learned in Lessons 1 through 4 and apply them to answer three questions.
Part A:
Word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms are the building blocks of medical terminology. Understanding the meaning of these components is essential to comprehend medical terms. Word roots are the fundamental part of a word, and they typically indicate the body part or system that the term refers to. Prefixes come before the word root and modify its meaning. Suffixes come after the word root and modify its meaning as well, usually indicating a procedure, condition, or disease. Combining forms are word roots with added vowels used to connect two word roots, a word root and a suffix, or a word root and a prefix. Understanding each component of a medical term assists in determining its meaning.
Part B:
A phonetically spelled pronunciation guide is essential in the correct pronunciation of medical terms. Mispronouncing medical terms can affect patient safety and lead to diagnostic errors. For example, mispronouncing “artery” as “art-er-y” instead of “ar-te-ry” could lead to a misdiagnosis. Mispronouncing “vagina” as “va-jai-na” instead of “va-ji-na” could cause embarrassment or confusion. Mispronouncing “dyspnea” as “dis-pe-nee-a” instead of “disp-ni-a” could lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding between healthcare professionals.
Part C:
The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Its major organs are the lungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and diaphragm. The lungs are the main organs of respiration, and they are responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles are air passages that help transport air into and out of the lungs. The alveoli are small sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. The diaphragm is a muscle that helps to expand and contract the lungs during respiration. Two illnesses related to the respiratory system are Bronchitis and Asthma. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, and it can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest tightness. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, and it can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
Conclusion:
Medical terminology is a critical component of the medical field. Understanding the meaning of word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms is essential for effectively communicating with healthcare professionals and patients. Additionally, correct pronunciation of medical terms is vital for patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. Understanding the major systems in the body and the illnesses related to these systems is essential for healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
