CMAC key terms

The core part of a medical term that carries its basic meaning, usually referring to a body part or body system. Other word parts are attached to it to build a complete term.

A word part placed at the beginning of a medical term that changes or adds to the meaning of the root, often indicating location, number, time, or a negative condition.

A word part attached to the end of a medical term that adds meaning, often showing a condition, procedure, or disease process, and frequently indicating whether the word acts as a noun or adjective.

A letter, usually an o, placed between a word root and a suffix or another root to make the term easier to say. It is often dropped before a suffix that begins with a vowel.

A medical term named after a person, such as a disease or procedure called by the name of the clinician who first described it. Eponyms often give no clue about meaning and may have newer descriptive names.

The standard reference posture in which a person stands upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms turned forward. Body directions and locations are described as if the patient were in this posture.

The body's ability to keep internal conditions such as temperature, pH, and blood sugar within a stable range despite changes outside the body. It depends on continuous feedback and adjustment by organ systems.

Describes a body part that lies closer to the center of the body or to the point where a limb attaches. For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist.

An imaginary flat surface that divides the body into left and right portions. A midsagittal plane splits the body into equal halves, while other sagittal planes run parallel to it.

Measured indicators of basic body function, typically temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, and often pain or oxygen saturation. They are recorded to detect changes in a patient's condition.

Listening to sounds made inside the body, usually with a stethoscope, to assess the heart, lungs, and bowel. It is one of the four basic physical examination techniques.

The patient's main reason for seeking care, stated briefly and usually in the patient's own words. It is recorded at the start of the history and guides the rest of the visit.

An instrument used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an inflatable cuff, a pressure gauge or digital display, and a valve for releasing air.

Infection control practices applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, assuming all blood and body fluids may carry infection. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps.

Practices that reduce the number and spread of microorganisms in the clinical setting, such as hand washing, cleaning surfaces, and proper waste disposal. It keeps the environment clean but does not destroy all microbes.

A model describing the six linked steps an infection needs in order to spread: pathogen, reservoir, exit portal, mode of transmission, entry portal, and susceptible host. Breaking any link helps prevent transmission.

A process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, on an object or instrument. It is required for items that will enter sterile body tissues or the bloodstream.

The study of how the body handles a drug over time, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. These processes determine how quickly and for how long a medication acts.

A situation or condition in which a drug or treatment should not be used because it could cause harm. It differs from a precaution, which means proceed only with extra care and monitoring.

Describes medication given by a route other than the digestive tract, such as by injection or infusion. Parenteral routes include subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous administration.

A safety checklist followed before giving any drug, covering the right patient, drug, dose, route, and time, and often documentation and reason. Following it reduces medication errors.

A digital version of a patient's chart that stores health information and can be shared across care settings. It supports documentation, ordering, results review, and billing.

A structured progress note organized into subjective, objective, assessment, and plan sections. Subjective covers what the patient reports, objective covers findings and data, assessment is the provider's impression, and plan lists next steps.

A signed authorization allowing a provider to disclose a patient's protected health information to a named person or organization. It should state what is released, to whom, and when the permission expires.

A five-digit code from the Current Procedural Terminology system that describes a medical service or procedure for billing purposes. Payers use these codes to decide reimbursement.

Puncture of a vein with a needle to obtain a blood sample or to start an intravenous line. Common sites are veins in the antecubital area of the arm.

The set of values expected for a laboratory test in most healthy people, used to interpret a patient's result. Values outside the range may suggest disease but are not a diagnosis by themselves.

A documented record of every person who handled a specimen, when, and for what purpose. It preserves the legal integrity of samples used for forensic or workplace drug testing.

A laboratory test classified as simple and low risk under federal rules, so trained staff can perform it outside a full laboratory. Examples include urine dipsticks and rapid strep screens.

The ethical and legal duty to keep patient information private and to share it only with those who need it for care, payment, or as permitted by law.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a treatment or procedure after receiving and understanding information about its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives.

The range of duties, procedures, and decisions a health care worker is legally permitted and trained to perform under their credential and the laws of their state.

Failure to use the level of care a reasonable, similarly trained professional would provide in the same situation, resulting in harm to a patient. Duty, breach, causation, and damages must all be shown.

A legal document in which a person states preferences about future medical care, or names someone to decide, in case they become unable to speak for themselves. Examples are living wills and health care proxies.

A legal requirement for certain professionals to notify authorities about suspected abuse, neglect, or specified communicable diseases. The reporter needs reasonable suspicion, not proof.