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RMT CKT practice questions

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Question 1Medical Terminology and Word Building

A physician dictates that a patient has 'gastritis.' Which word element gives the term its core meaning?

  1. -scopy
  2. -algia
  3. -itis
  4. gastr Correct answer.

Explanation

The combining form gastr- means stomach and carries the fundamental meaning of the term. The suffix -itis only signals inflammation, so it modifies rather than supplies the core meaning.

Question 2Medical Terminology and Word Building

In the term 'pericardium,' what does the prefix peri- indicate?

  1. Within
  2. Through
  3. After
  4. Around Correct answer.

Explanation

The prefix peri- means around, so pericardium refers to the structure surrounding the heart. Recognizing common prefixes such as peri- lets you decode unfamiliar terms by position.

Question 3Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which suffix converts a word root into a term meaning 'inflammation of' that structure?

  1. -ectomy
  2. -megaly
  3. -itis Correct answer.
  4. -oma

Explanation

The suffix -itis denotes inflammation, as in hepatitis or dermatitis. Each of the other suffixes signals a distinct pathologic or surgical concept.

Question 4Medical Terminology and Word Building

A report describes 'hepatomegaly.' What does the suffix in this term tell you?

  1. The liver is enlarged Correct answer.
  2. The liver is bleeding
  3. The liver has been removed
  4. The liver is inflamed

Explanation

The suffix -megaly means enlargement, and hepat- refers to the liver, so hepatomegaly is enlargement of the liver. Matching a known root to a known suffix yields the meaning without memorizing the whole word.

Question 5Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which combining form refers to the kidney?

  1. cyst/o
  2. nephr/o Correct answer.
  3. neur/o
  4. hepat/o

Explanation

Nephr/o is the combining form for kidney, seen in nephritis and nephrology. Distinguishing it from look-alike forms such as neur/o (nerve) prevents misreading dictated reports.

Question 6Medical Terminology and Word Building

The plural of 'vertebra' follows standard Latin rules. Which form is correct?

  1. Vertebrae Correct answer.
  2. Vertebri
  3. Vertebraes
  4. Vertebras

Explanation

Latin nouns ending in -a commonly form the plural with -ae, so vertebra becomes vertebrae. This pattern also appears in terms such as bursae and pleurae.

Question 7Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which abbreviation on a patient chart most likely indicates a medication to be taken by mouth?

  1. PR
  2. IV
  3. PO Correct answer.
  4. NPO

Explanation

PO comes from the Latin per os, meaning by mouth, and is the standard route abbreviation for oral administration. The other abbreviations describe different routes or restrictions.

Question 8Medical Terminology and Word Building

In the term 'electrocardiogram,' what does the suffix -gram indicate?

  1. A measurement device
  2. A surgical repair
  3. An instrument that records
  4. A record or tracing Correct answer.

Explanation

The suffix -gram means a record or tracing, while -graph means the instrument that produces it. Recognizing this pair helps distinguish a diagnostic printout from the machine that generates it.

Question 9Medical Terminology and Word Building

A patient is described as having 'dyspnea.' Using word parts, what is the best interpretation?

  1. Difficult or labored breathing Correct answer.
  2. Absence of breathing
  3. Deep breathing
  4. Rapid breathing

Explanation

The prefix dys- means difficult or abnormal, and -pnea means breathing, so dyspnea is difficult or labored breathing. The prefix carries the qualitative meaning while the suffix names the function.

Question 10Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which term is built correctly to mean 'inflammation of the stomach and intestines'?

  1. Gastrectomy
  2. Gastrotomy
  3. Gastroenteritis Correct answer.
  4. Gastroenterology

Explanation

Joining the combining forms gastr/o and enter/o with the suffix -itis produces gastroenteritis, inflammation of stomach and intestines. The combining vowel o links the roots because the second root begins with a consonant.

Question 11Medical Terminology and Word Building

When joining the root 'cardi' with the suffix '-logy,' which combining form is correct?

  1. Cardiologyy
  2. Cardelogy
  3. Cardiology Correct answer.
  4. Cardlogy

Explanation

A combining vowel, usually o, is inserted between a root and a suffix beginning with a consonant, giving cardiology. The vowel keeps the word pronounceable and follows standard word-building rules.

Question 12Medical Terminology and Word Building

A surgical note records a 'cholecystectomy.' Which structure was removed?

  1. The common bile duct
  2. The spleen
  3. The liver
  4. The gallbladder Correct answer.

Explanation

Cholecyst/o means gallbladder and -ectomy means surgical removal, so the term denotes removal of the gallbladder. Splitting a long term into its combining form and suffix gives the answer directly.

Question 13Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which plural form is correct for the term 'diagnosis'?

  1. Diagnosises
  2. Diagnoses Correct answer.
  3. Diagnosae
  4. Diagnosi

Explanation

Greek-derived nouns ending in -sis change to -ses in the plural, so diagnosis becomes diagnoses. This pattern also applies to prognosis and metastasis.

Question 14Medical Terminology and Word Building

A patient's record lists a 'hemorrhage.' Which suffix meaning is present in this term?

  1. Profuse flow or discharge Correct answer.
  2. Narrowing
  3. Rupture
  4. Softening

Explanation

The suffix -rrhagia means profuse flow or discharge, commonly seen in hemorrhage. It is distinct from -rrhea, which means a flow or discharge of a more general kind.

Question 15Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which prefix best completes a term meaning 'below the skin,' as used for an injection route?

  1. Dys-
  2. Hyper-
  3. Hypo- Correct answer.
  4. Epi-

Explanation

Hypo- means under or below, so hypodermic describes a route beneath the skin. The prefix epi-, by contrast, means above or upon and would describe a more superficial location.

Question 16Medical Terminology and Word Building

A patient is scheduled for a 'colostomy.' Which combining form and suffix combination explains the procedure?

  1. Col/o plus -tomy, a simple incision
  2. Col/o plus -ectomy, a removal
  3. Col/o plus -stomy, a surgical opening Correct answer.
  4. Col/o plus -scopy, a viewing

Explanation

The suffix -stomy means creating a surgical opening or mouth, and col/o refers to the colon, so colostomy is creation of an artificial opening in the colon. It differs from colotomy, which is only an incision.

Question 17Medical Terminology and Word Building

In the term 'intravenous,' what does the prefix intra- convey?

  1. Within Correct answer.
  2. Before
  3. Against
  4. Between

Explanation

Intra- means within or inside, so intravenous means within a vein. Contrast this with inter-, which means between, as in intercostal.

Question 18Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which term correctly uses a suffix to denote a 'tumor of glandular tissue'?

  1. Adenoma Correct answer.
  2. Adenectomy
  3. Adenitis
  4. Adenosis

Explanation

Aden/o means gland and -oma means tumor, so adenoma is a glandular tumor. The other suffixes describe inflammation, removal, or a condition, not a tumor.

Question 19Medical Terminology and Word Building

A dictated term is 'arteriosclerosis.' Which two word parts combine to give its meaning?

  1. Arteri/o plus -stenosis
  2. Arteri/o plus -ectasis
  3. Arteri/o plus -sclerosis Correct answer.
  4. Arteri/o plus -malacia

Explanation

Arteri/o means artery and -sclerosis means hardening, so arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries. Recognizing the suffix is essential because several vascular suffixes look similar.

Question 20Medical Terminology and Word Building

A chart notes 'bilateral pedal edema.' Which interpretation matches the term parts?

  1. Swelling of one foot
  2. Swelling of the legs only
  3. Swelling of both hands
  4. Swelling of both feet Correct answer.

Explanation

Bilateral means both sides, ped- refers to the foot, and -edema means swelling, so the phrase describes swelling of both feet. Each part narrows the meaning in sequence.

Question 21Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which abbreviation pair is correctly matched to its meaning?

  1. CBC - cardiac blood count
  2. BP - blood pressure Correct answer.
  3. RR - renal rate
  4. HR - heart rhythm

Explanation

BP is the standard abbreviation for blood pressure. The other options attach plausible-sounding but incorrect expansions to real abbreviations.

Question 22Medical Terminology and Word Building

A term is dictated as 'gastrodynia.' Which analysis is correct?

  1. Gastr/o plus -dynia, meaning stomach removal
  2. Gastr/o plus -dynia, meaning stomach pain Correct answer.
  3. Gastr/o plus -dynia, meaning stomach examination
  4. Gastr/o plus -dynia, meaning stomach inflammation

Explanation

The combining form gastr/o means stomach and the suffix -dynia means pain, so gastrodynia is stomach pain. The suffix -dynia is a reliable marker of pain in any term, as in cardiodynia.

Question 23Medical Terminology and Word Building

A report uses the term 'hepatosplenomegaly.' Which description is most accurate?

  1. Removal of the liver and spleen
  2. Inflammation of the liver and spleen
  3. Enlargement of the liver and spleen Correct answer.
  4. Hardening of the liver and spleen

Explanation

Hepat/o and splen/o name the liver and spleen, and -megaly means enlargement, so the term denotes enlargement of both organs. Multiple roots can be chained before a single suffix that applies to all of them.

Question 24Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which term is formed with a prefix meaning 'against' combined with a root meaning 'life,' describing a substance that kills bacteria?

  1. Biotic
  2. Probiotic
  3. Antibiotic Correct answer.
  4. Symbiotic

Explanation

Anti- means against and bi/o refers to life, so antibiotic literally means against life, describing agents that inhibit microorganisms. Prefixes such as anti- and sym- change the direction or relationship of the root.

Question 25Medical Terminology and Word Building

A term is written as 'nephrolithiasis.' Which meaning follows from its word parts?

  1. Softening of the kidney
  2. Condition of stones in the kidney Correct answer.
  3. Inflammation of the kidney
  4. Enlargement of the kidney

Explanation

Nephr/o means kidney, lith/o means stone, and -iasis means a condition or abnormal state, so nephrolithiasis is the condition of kidney stones. Three-part terms are decoded left to right, with the suffix giving the condition.

Question 26Medical Terminology and Word Building

A resident dictates the term 'gastralgia.' Using word parts, which interpretation is most accurate?

  1. Softening of the stomach
  2. Inflammation of the stomach
  3. Pain in the stomach Correct answer.
  4. Surgical fixation of the stomach

Explanation

The root gastr- refers to the stomach, and the suffix -algia denotes pain. Together they form a term meaning stomach pain, without any implication of inflammation or structural change.

Question 27Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which combining form is required to join the root 'gastr' with the suffix '-itis'?

  1. gastr/o Correct answer.
  2. gastr/e
  3. gastr/a
  4. gastr/i

Explanation

When a root is joined to a suffix beginning with a consonant, the combining vowel -o- is normally inserted. The resulting combining form is gastr/o, giving gastritis.

Question 28Medical Terminology and Word Building

A discharge summary states the patient has 'hepatomegaly.' Which finding does this term describe?

  1. Inflammation of the liver
  2. Enlargement of the liver Correct answer.
  3. Hardening of the liver
  4. A tumor of the liver

Explanation

The root hepat- means liver, and the suffix -megaly means enlargement. The term therefore denotes an abnormally enlarged liver rather than inflammation or a neoplasm.

Question 29Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which abbreviation on a medication order most likely means 'by mouth'?

  1. SL
  2. PR
  3. NG
  4. PO Correct answer.

Explanation

PO comes from the Latin per os, meaning by mouth, and is the standard abbreviation for the oral route. The other abbreviations denote different routes of administration.

Question 30Medical Terminology and Word Building

A physical therapist documents 'myalgia' in the note. Which word parts build this term?

  1. my/o (muscle) + -malacia (softening)
  2. myel/o (bone marrow) + -algia (pain)
  3. my/o (muscle) + -algia (pain) Correct answer.
  4. my/o (muscle) + -itis (inflammation)

Explanation

The combining form my/o means muscle, and the suffix -algia means pain. Myalgia therefore denotes muscle pain, distinguishing it from terms built on myel/o, which refers to bone marrow or spinal cord.

Question 31Medical Terminology and Word Building

A pathology report describes a 'lipoma.' Which meaning follows from its word parts?

  1. An inflamed fat deposit
  2. A fatty tumor Correct answer.
  3. A benign tumor of bone
  4. A malignant tumor of the lip

Explanation

The root lip- means fat, and the suffix -oma denotes a tumor or mass. A lipoma is therefore a tumor composed of fat tissue, and the suffix alone does not establish malignancy.

Question 32Medical Terminology and Word Building

A chart entry reads 'postoperative tachycardia.' Which analysis of the parts is correct?

  1. post- (after) + operat (surgery) + -ive; tachy- (fast) + card (heart) + -ia (condition) Correct answer.
  2. post- (behind) + operat (surgery); tachy- (fast) + cardi (lung)
  3. post- (after) + operat (surgery); brady- (fast) + card (heart)
  4. pre- (before) + operat (surgery); tachy- (slow) + card (heart)

Explanation

The prefix post- means after, and tachy- means fast, while card refers to the heart. Tachycardia therefore describes a rapid heart rate occurring after surgery.

Question 33Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which term is built correctly to mean 'inflammation of the kidney'?

  1. nephromegaly
  2. nephroma
  3. nephrolysis
  4. nephritis Correct answer.

Explanation

The root nephr- means kidney, and the suffix -itis means inflammation. The combining vowel is dropped before the suffix beginning with a vowel, giving nephritis.

Question 34Medical Terminology and Word Building

A patient is scheduled for a 'tracheostomy.' Which description matches the word parts?

  1. Surgical repair of the trachea
  2. Removal of the trachea
  3. Creation of an opening in the trachea Correct answer.
  4. Inflammation of the trachea

Explanation

The root trache- refers to the trachea, and the suffix -ostomy means creating a surgical opening. A tracheostomy is therefore a surgically created stoma in the windpipe.

Question 35Medical Terminology and Word Building

A radiology report notes 'subhepatic fluid.' Which location does the prefix indicate?

  1. Above the liver
  2. Beside the liver
  3. Below the liver Correct answer.
  4. Within the liver

Explanation

The prefix sub- means under or below, and hepat refers to the liver. Subhepatic fluid therefore lies beneath the liver.

Question 36Medical Terminology and Word Building

A term is dictated as 'hyperglycemia.' Which interpretation of the word parts is correct?

  1. hyper- (fast) + glyc (sugar) + -emia (blood condition)
  2. hyper- (excessive) + glyc (sugar) + -emia (blood condition) Correct answer.
  3. hyper- (excessive) + glyc (sugar) + -uria (urine condition)
  4. hypo- (deficient) + glyc (sugar) + -emia (blood condition)

Explanation

The prefix hyper- means excessive, glyc refers to sugar or glucose, and the suffix -emia denotes a blood condition. Hyperglycemia thus describes abnormally high blood glucose.

Question 37Medical Terminology and Word Building

Which pair of abbreviations is correctly matched?

  1. BP = body position; HR = heart rate
  2. BP = blood pressure; HR = hemoglobin reading
  3. BP = blood pressure; HR = heart rate Correct answer.
  4. BP = blood pressure; HR = heart rhythm

Explanation

BP is the standard abbreviation for blood pressure, and HR stands for heart rate. Each is a distinct vital sign measurement, so the pairing in the correct option is accurate.

Question 38Medical Terminology and Word Building

A chart records 'cyanoderma.' Which meaning is most consistent with its word parts?

  1. Yellow discoloration of the skin
  2. Dryness of the skin
  3. Redness of the skin
  4. Bluish discoloration of the skin Correct answer.

Explanation

The root cyan- means blue, and derma refers to the skin. Cyanoderma therefore describes a bluish hue of the skin, as seen with poor oxygenation.

Question 39Medical Terminology and Word Building

A term is written as 'gastroenterocolitis.' Which analysis best explains its meaning?

  1. gastr/o + enter/o + col + -ectomy, removal of stomach and intestine
  2. gastr/o + enter/o + col + -itis, inflammation of stomach and small intestine only
  3. gastr/o + enter/o + col + -osis, abnormal condition of the colon
  4. gastr/o + enter/o + col + -itis, inflammation of stomach, intestine, and colon Correct answer.

Explanation

Three roots are compounded: gastr/o for stomach, enter/o for intestine, and col for colon, with the suffix -itis indicating inflammation. The term therefore covers inflammation of all three structures named.

Question 40Medical Terminology and Word Building

A dictation reads 'intraarticular injection.' Which combination of parts is present?

  1. intra- (within) + arteri (artery) + -al (pertaining to)
  2. intra- (within) + articul (joint) + -ar (pertaining to) Correct answer.
  3. infra- (below) + articul (joint) + -ar (pertaining to)
  4. inter- (between) + articul (joint) + -ar (pertaining to)

Explanation

The prefix intra- means within, and articul refers to a joint, with -ar meaning pertaining to. An intraarticular injection is therefore delivered into the joint space itself.

Question 41Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Which structure separates the right atrium from the right ventricle and contains the tricuspid valve?

  1. The interatrial septum
  2. The membranous ventricular septum
  3. The atrioventricular septum at the right AV junction Correct answer.
  4. The aortic valve annulus

Explanation

The tricuspid valve sits in the right atrioventricular orifice, marking the boundary between the right atrium and right ventricle. The interatrial septum divides the two atria, while the membranous septum lies between ventricles and the aortic root.

Question 42Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Blood returning from the coronary sinus empties directly into which chamber?

  1. Right atrium Correct answer.
  2. Left ventricle
  3. Left atrium
  4. Right ventricle

Explanation

The coronary sinus drains most of the heart's venous blood and opens into the right atrium near the inferior vena cava orifice. From there blood passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.

Question 43Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Which vessel supplies the sinoatrial node in the majority of people?

  1. Left anterior descending artery
  2. Posterior descending artery
  3. Left circumflex artery
  4. Right coronary artery Correct answer.

Explanation

In roughly 60 percent of individuals the sinoatrial node is supplied by a branch of the right coronary artery. The left circumflex supplies it in a minority, and the LAD and PDA are not typical nodal suppliers.

Question 44Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

During ventricular systole, which event occurs first?

  1. Opening of the tricuspid valve
  2. Rapid ventricular filling
  3. Aortic valve opening
  4. Closure of the mitral valve Correct answer.

Explanation

Ventricular systole begins with isovolumetric contraction, during which the AV valves close as ventricular pressure exceeds atrial pressure. The semilunar valves open only after ventricular pressure exceeds aortic and pulmonary pressures.

Question 45Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

What is the primary mechanism by which cardiac output increases during dynamic exercise?

  1. Decreased venous return with reduced preload
  2. Increased heart rate with maintained stroke volume
  3. Increased heart rate and increased stroke volume Correct answer.
  4. Reduced contractility with reduced afterload

Explanation

Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume, and both rise during dynamic exercise. Sympathetic stimulation raises heart rate and contractility, while the skeletal muscle pump and venoconstriction increase preload and stroke volume.

Question 46Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Which pressure measurement best reflects left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in the catheterization laboratory?

  1. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure Correct answer.
  2. Right ventricular systolic pressure
  3. Right atrial pressure
  4. Central venous pressure

Explanation

A pulmonary artery wedge pressure estimates left atrial pressure, which approximates left ventricular end-diastolic pressure when the mitral valve is open. Right-sided pressures reflect right ventricular filling and do not directly estimate left ventricular filling.

Question 47Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Which finding on an ECG indicates that the rhythm originates in the sinus node?

  1. Absence of P waves with irregular R-R intervals
  2. A widened QRS complex
  3. A P wave before every QRS with a normal axis Correct answer.
  4. A shortened PR interval below 120 ms

Explanation

Sinus rhythm is defined by P waves that precede each QRS complex and have a normal axis, indicating atrial depolarization from the sinus node. Wide QRS complexes and absent P waves suggest ventricular or atrial arrhythmias.

Question 48Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Which electrolyte disturbance most commonly predisposes to torsades de pointes?

  1. Hypernatremia
  2. Hyperchloremia
  3. Hypokalemia Correct answer.
  4. Hypercalcemia

Explanation

Hypokalemia prolongs the QT interval and predisposes to torsades de pointes, a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia also prolong repolarization, but hypernatremia and hyperchloremia do not.

Question 49Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Which hemodynamic change is expected in cardiac tamponade?

  1. Increased cardiac output
  2. Widened pulse pressure
  3. Absent pulsus paradoxus
  4. Equalization of diastolic pressures across cardiac chambers Correct answer.

Explanation

In tamponade, pericardial fluid raises intrapericardial pressure, causing diastolic pressures to equalize across chambers and impairing filling. Cardiac output falls and pulsus paradoxus is typically present.

Question 50Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

Which valve lesion typically produces a mid-diastolic murmur with an opening snap?

  1. Mitral regurgitation
  2. Aortic regurgitation
  3. Aortic stenosis
  4. Mitral stenosis Correct answer.

Explanation

Mitral stenosis produces a low-pitched mid-diastolic murmur with an opening snap caused by restricted leaflet opening. Aortic stenosis causes a systolic ejection murmur, and regurgitant lesions cause systolic or early diastolic murmurs.