Medical Terminology Practice Test 2
Medical Terminology NCLEX Practice Test
Medical Terminology is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations → Medical Terminology. This section builds precise healthcare vocabulary for accurate communication, documentation, and education. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 2nd part of the Medical Terminology series. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Medical Terminology Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Medical Terminology Practice Test 2
What is the full form of "BMI"?
- Body Mass Index
- Basic Medical Information
- Blood Muscle Indicator
- Body Metabolic Indicator
Explanation: Answer reason: BMI universally stands for Body Mass Index, a standard measure relating weight to height.
What is the full form of MRI?
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Radio Imaging
- Magnetic Reaction Imaging
- Muscle Recovery Indicator
Explanation: Answer reason: MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging; the other options are incorrect expansions of the acronym.
What is the full form of ICU?
- Intensive Cardio Unit
- Immediate Care Unit
- Internal Care Unit
- Intensive Care Unit
Explanation: Answer reason: ICU is the standard abbreviation for Intensive Care Unit.
Which doctor treats children's diseases?
- Cardiologist
- Psychiatrist
- Pediatrician
- Gynecologist
Explanation: Answer reason: Pediatricians specialize in the medical care and treatment of infants, children, and adolescents.
A group of symptoms is known as?
- Clinical manifestation
- Group syndromes
- Syndrome
- Signs
Explanation: Answer reason: By definition, a syndrome is a set or group of symptoms that occur together and characterize a condition.
Epigastralgia refers to?
- Pain in stomach region
- Pain in chest region
- Pain in kidney region
- Pain in liver region
Explanation: Answer reason: Epigastralgia combines epi- (above), gastr- (stomach), and -algia (pain), indicating pain in the epigastric/stomach region.
Low sodium levels in blood indicate?
- Hypernatremia
- Hyponatremia
- Hypokalemia
- Hyperkalemia
Explanation: Answer reason: Low sodium in the blood is termed hyponatremia; hypernatremia means high sodium, while hypo/hyperkalemia refer to potassium levels.
Decannulation means?
- Removal of the trachaostomy tube
- Removal of I/V cannula
- Removal of NG tube
- Removal of ET tube
Explanation: Answer reason: Decannulation specifically refers to removing a cannula, most commonly the tracheostomy tube; removal of an endotracheal tube is termed extubation.
The hydrophobia means?
- Fear of food
- Fear of water
- Fera of cold
- Fear of die
Explanation: Answer reason: Hydrophobia literally means fear of water and is classically associated with rabies.
Bilateral fractures of the femur indicate?
- Both femurs are broken
- Both the superior and inferior ends of the femur are broken
- The bone is broken in two or more pieces
- Both zones of the femur are broken
Explanation: Answer reason: Bilateral refers to both sides of the body; thus bilateral femur fractures mean both femurs are fractured.
Loss of memory is known as?
- Anxiety
- Amnesia
- Insomnia
- Paralysis
Explanation: Answer reason: Loss of memory is termed amnesia; anxiety is excessive worry, insomnia is difficulty sleeping, and paralysis is loss of movement.
Inflammation of veins is known as?
- Phlebitis
- Blepharitis
- Stomatitis
- Arteritis
Explanation: Answer reason: Inflammation of a vein is termed phlebitis; blepharitis is eyelid inflammation, stomatitis is oral mucosa inflammation, and arteritis is artery inflammation.
Present of blood in stool is know as-?
- Melana
- Lochia
- Hemoptysis
- Hemetamesis
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood in stool is termed melena (black, tarry stools from GI bleeding). Lochia is postpartum discharge, hemoptysis is coughing blood, and hematemesis is vomiting blood.
Presence of blood in urine is ---------------?
- Hymatochezia
- Melena
- Pyuria
- Hematuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Hematuria means blood in the urine. Hematochezia and melena refer to blood in stool, and pyuria is pus in urine.
What is correct medical term for loss of appetite?
- Bulimia
- Dyslexia
- Anorexia
- Cachexia
Explanation: Answer reason: Anorexia is the medical term for loss of appetite. Bulimia involves binge–purge behavior, dyslexia is a reading disorder, and cachexia is disease-associated wasting.
What does the term 'antibiotics' mean?
- Against bacteria
- Against virus
- Interacting as
- Against life
Explanation: Answer reason: Antibiotic derives from anti (against) and bios (life); thus it literally means against life, referring to actions against microbial life.
Loss of memory is known as?
- Amnesia
- Insomnia
- Anosmia
- Anemia
Explanation: Answer reason: Loss of memory is termed amnesia; insomnia is sleep difficulty, anosmia is loss of smell, and anemia is low red blood cell count.
What is the definition of parity in obstetrics?
- The strength of the uterine muscle.
- The dilation of the cervix.
- The number of times a woman has been pregnant.
- The number of times a woman has given birth.
Explanation: Answer reason: Parity refers to the number of births a woman has had (to a viable gestational age), whereas gravidity is the number of pregnancies.
What is the new name of the disease causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak as announced by the World Health Organization on February 11, 2020?
- COVID-19
- COVn-19
- COnV-20
- COnVID-19
Explanation: Answer reason: WHO officially named the disease COVID-19 on Feb 11, 2020; the other options are incorrect variations.
What does the term dipsomania mean?
- Manic conditions
- Compulsive drinking
- Increased PMA, talkative
- A condition characterized by alternating manic and depressive attacks
Explanation: Answer reason: Dipsomania is a term for an irresistible or periodic compulsion to drink alcohol.
What does LNMP stand for?
- Labor Not Making Progress
- Legal Natural Mother's Parity
- Last Normal Menstrual Period
- Ligand Neurotransmitter Myofibril Perisome
Explanation: Answer reason: LNMP is a standard obstetric abbreviation referring to the Last Normal Menstrual Period used for dating pregnancy.
What is the medical term for absence of pain?
- Analgesia
- Anemia
- Aphasia
- Amnesia
Explanation: Answer reason: Analgesia literally means absence or relief of pain; the other terms refer to lack of blood (anemia), language impairment (aphasia), and memory loss (amnesia).
What is the medical term for joint pain?
- Arthralgia
- Neuralgia
- Myalgia
- Cystalgia
Explanation: Answer reason: Arthralgia means joint pain; neuralgia is nerve pain, myalgia is muscle pain, and cystalgia is bladder pain.
What does the palsy in Bell's palsy mean?
- Nerve
- Paralysis
- Inflammation
- Drooping
Explanation: Answer reason: The term palsy refers to paralysis, commonly partial; Bell's palsy is facial nerve paralysis.
What is the term for loss of the sense of smell?
- Anhedonia
- Anoxia
- Anosmia
- Aphasia
Explanation: Answer reason: Anosmia specifically means loss of the sense of smell. Anhedonia is loss of pleasure, anoxia is lack of oxygen, and aphasia is an impairment of language.
What is the medical term for shortness of breath?
- Hormones
- Water
- Breath
- Gland
Explanation: Answer reason: Among the given choices, only 'Breath' relates to shortness of breath; others are unrelated. (The precise term is dyspnea, but not listed.).
What is the study of birds called?
- Ichthyology
- Phycology
- Ornithology
- Mycology
Explanation: Answer reason: Ornithology is the study of birds; ichthyology studies fish, phycology studies algae, and mycology studies fungi.
What is an alternative word for reflux?
- Vomiting
- Nose bleed
- Regurgitation
- Acid erosion
Explanation: Answer reason: Reflux is the backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus; the medical synonym is regurgitation. The other options describe different phenomena.
What is the study of skin called?
- Scientology
- Skinology
- Symbology
- Dermatology
Explanation: Answer reason: Dermatology is the medical term for the study of the skin; the other options are unrelated terms.
What is the study of breasts called?
- Myology
- Breastology
- Lactology
- Mastology
Explanation: Answer reason: Masto- refers to the breast; mastology is the medical field focused on the breasts. Myology is muscles, lactology is lactation, and 'breastology' is not a standard term.
A branch of medicine that deals with the health of the female reproductive systems?
- Gynacoid
- Gynecology
- Obstetrics
- Embryology
Explanation: Answer reason: Gynecology is the medical specialty focused on the health and disorders of the female reproductive system; obstetrics addresses pregnancy/childbirth, embryology studies embryos, and gynacoid refers to a pelvic type.
What is a cystectomy?
- Surgical removal of a kidney
- Surgical removal of the urinary bladder
- Surgical removal of only the ureter
- Surgical removal of the urethra
Explanation: Answer reason: Cyst/o refers to the bladder and -ectomy means surgical removal; therefore cystectomy is removal of the urinary bladder.
What is the medical term for the presence of blood in urine?
- Haematemesis
- Haematochezia
- Haematuria
- Haemoptysis
- Haemolysis
Explanation: Answer reason: Hematuria means blood in urine; other terms refer to blood from vomiting (haematemesis), stool (haematochezia), coughing (haemoptysis), or RBC destruction (haemolysis).
What is the term used to describe enlargement of the heart muscle?
- Cardiomegaly
- Cardiomyopathy
- Myocarditis
- Pericarditis
Explanation: Answer reason: Cardiomegaly means enlargement of the heart. Cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle, myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, and pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.
What is the medical term for bleeding from the nose?
- Epistaxis
- Hemoptysis
- Hematemesis
- Hematuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Epistaxis is the term for nosebleed; hemoptysis is coughing blood, hematemesis is vomiting blood, and hematuria is blood in urine.
What is the term for shortness of breath?
- Emesis
- Dyspnea
- Asthma
- Anorexia
Explanation: Answer reason: Dyspnea means shortness of breath. Emesis is vomiting, asthma is a respiratory disease, and anorexia is loss of appetite.
What term defines the number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome, including the current pregnancy?
- Parity
- Gravida
- Prognosis
- Fundus
Explanation: Answer reason: Gravida refers to the total number of pregnancies a woman has had, regardless of outcome, including the current pregnancy. Parity counts births at viability, not total pregnancies.
What is the common term for the medical condition 'Rhinorrhea'?
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
Explanation: Answer reason: Rhinorrhea means nasal discharge; the lay term is runny nose.
What is the medical term for cough?
- Dyspnea
- Tussis
- Hemoptysis
- Apnea
Explanation: Answer reason: Tussis is the medical term for cough; dyspnea means shortness of breath, hemoptysis is coughing up blood, and apnea is cessation of breathing.
What is the medical term for loss of taste?
- Anosmia
- Tinnitus
- Ageusia
- Dyslexia
Explanation: Answer reason: Ageusia is loss of taste. Anosmia is loss of smell, tinnitus is ringing in the ears, and dyslexia is a reading disorder.
Encephology is the study of what?
- Nail
- Hair
- Brain
- Eye
Explanation: Answer reason: The prefix encephalo- means brain and -logy means study of; thus encephology is the study of the brain.
What is the surgical procedure used for the removal of the gall bladder called?
- Appendectomy
- Hysterectomy
- Cholecystectomy
- Myomectomy
Explanation: Answer reason: Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder; appendectomy removes the appendix, hysterectomy removes the uterus, and myomectomy removes uterine fibroids.
What is the medical term for the breast?
- Zeis gland
- Meibomian gland
- Mammary gland
- Mastic gland
Explanation: Answer reason: The breast is anatomically the mammary gland. Zeis and Meibomian glands are eyelid glands; 'Mastic gland' is not a correct anatomical term.
What is the medical term for shortness of breath?
- Hormones
- Water
- Breath
- Dyspnea
Explanation: Answer reason: Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath; the other options are unrelated terms.
What is the medical term for the process of childbirth?
- Fertilization
- Ovulation
- Gestation
- Parturition
Explanation: Answer reason: Parturition is the term for labor and delivery (childbirth). Fertilization is union of gametes, ovulation is egg release, and gestation is pregnancy.
What is the term for inflammation of veins?
- Phlebitis
- Blepharitis
- Stomatitis
- Arteritis
Explanation: Answer reason: Phleb- refers to veins and -itis means inflammation; thus phlebitis is inflammation of veins. Other options refer to eyelid, mouth, and artery inflammation.
What is the full form of 'ABG'?
- Arterial Blood Glucose
- Arterial Blood Gas
- Active Blood Gauge
- Artery Blood Group
Explanation: Answer reason: ABG is the standard abbreviation for arterial blood gas, a test measuring oxygenation, ventilation, and acid–base status.
What is the medical term for vomiting of blood?
- Epistaxis
- Hematemesis
- Hemoptysis
- Hemothorax
Explanation: Answer reason: Hematemesis specifically means vomiting blood. Epistaxis is a nosebleed, hemoptysis is coughing up blood, and hemothorax is blood in the pleural cavity.
What is the medical procedure called that involves cutting the umbilical cord after childbirth?
- Splenectomy
- Ophalectomy
- Appendectomy
- Circumcision
Explanation: Answer reason: Among the choices, only the term built on the omphal-/navel root pertains to the umbilical area; the others involve spleen, appendix, or foreskin. Thus Ophalectomy best matches the umbilical cord context.
What is the meaning of the Latin word 'nutricius' from which the word nursing is derived?
- God
- To nourish
- To express
- Help
Explanation: Answer reason: The Latin root 'nutricius' means nourishing; nursing derives from this term, hence 'to nourish' is correct.
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