Medical Terminology Practice Test 3
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 3rd 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 3
What is the full form of ENT?
- Eye, Nose, Teeth
- Ear, Nose, Tongue
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Ear, Neck, Throat
Explanation: Answer reason: ENT is the common abbreviation for the otolaryngology specialty: Ear, Nose, and Throat.
What is dyspnea?
- A type of chest pain
- A rapid heartbeat
- A form of dizziness
- Feeling of shortness of breath
Explanation: Answer reason: Dyspnea is the medical term for the sensation of shortness of breath.
What is the presence of glucose in urine called?
- Hematuria
- Oliguria
- Polyuria
- Glycosuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Glycosuria means glucose in the urine. Hematuria is blood in urine, oliguria is low urine output, and polyuria is excessive urine output.
What is the correct medical term for a client who begins to expectorate blood?
- Hematemesis
- Hematoma
- Hematuria
- Hemoptysis
Explanation: Answer reason: Expectorating blood means coughing up blood from the respiratory tract; the term for this is hemoptysis. Hematemesis is vomiting blood, hematoma is a blood collection, and hematuria is blood in urine.
What is the medical term for pain in the ear?
- Myalgia
- Hydrophobia
- Cephalalgia
- Otalgia
Explanation: Answer reason: Ot- refers to ear and -algia means pain; therefore otalgia is ear pain. Myalgia is muscle pain, cephalalgia is head pain, and hydrophobia is fear of water.
Excessive urine production is called what?
- Glycosuria
- Hematuria
- Oliguria
- Polyuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Polyuria means excessive urine output. Glycosuria is glucose in urine, hematuria is blood in urine, and oliguria is decreased urine output.
A patient is having difficulty swallowing medications and food; what should the nurse document this patient has?
- Dysphagia
- Anorexia
- Dysphasia
- Aphasia
Explanation: Answer reason: Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing. Anorexia is loss of appetite, while dysphasia and aphasia refer to language impairments.
What is the term for a woman who is pregnant for the first time?
- Primigravida
- Nullipara
- Multipara
- Primipara
Explanation: Answer reason: Gravida refers to number of pregnancies; primigravida means first pregnancy. Nullipara has had no births; multipara has delivered two or more; primipara has delivered once.
What is the surgical repair of a joint called?
- Arthroscopy
- Arthroplasty
- Osteotomy
- Tenotomy
Explanation: Answer reason: The suffix -plasty means surgical repair; arthro- refers to a joint. Therefore, surgical repair of a joint is arthroplasty.
What is the term for a hospital-acquired infection?
- Contagious
- Nosocomial
- None of these
Explanation: Answer reason: Hospital-acquired infections are termed nosocomial infections.
What is the term for involuntary urination?
- Anauria
- Dysuria
- Enuresis
- Diuresis
Explanation: Answer reason: Enuresis means involuntary urination. Anuria is absence of urine, dysuria is painful urination, and diuresis is increased urine production.
What is the expanded form of 'ESR'?
- Electrolyte Sedimentation Rate
- Enzyme Synthesis Rate
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
- Erythrocyte Synthesis Rate
Explanation: Answer reason: ESR is the standard abbreviation for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, a common laboratory test.
What is the term for blood present in sputum?
- Malena
- Epistaxis
- Hemoptysis
- Hematemesis
Explanation: Answer reason: Hemoptysis is coughing up blood from the respiratory tract (blood in sputum). Epistaxis is nosebleed, hematemesis is vomiting blood, and melena refers to black tarry stools.
What is the definition of dystocia?
- Normal birth
- Difficult birth
- Delayed birth
- None of them
Explanation: Answer reason: Dystocia literally means difficult or abnormal labor; hence difficult birth is the correct definition.
What is the medical term dysphagia used to describe?
- Difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Difficulty in digestion
- Difficulty in speaking
Explanation: Answer reason: Dysphagia literally means difficulty swallowing (dys = difficulty, phagia = eating/swallowing).
Nosebleed is the common name for which medical term?
- Rhinemia
- Epistaxis
- Diptheria
- Rhinorrea
Explanation: Answer reason: Epistaxis is the medical term for a nosebleed. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection, and rhinorrhea refers to a runny nose; rhinemia is not the correct term for nosebleed.
Cardiology is the study of which organ?
- Kidney
- Heart
- Lungs
- Brain
Explanation: Answer reason: Cardiology derives from cardio (heart) + -logy (study); it is the medical specialty focused on the heart.
What is the medical term for coughing up blood?
- Hematuria
- Hemoptysis
- Epistaxis
- Hemophilia
Explanation: Answer reason: Hemoptysis means coughing up blood. Hematuria is blood in urine, epistaxis is a nosebleed, and hemophilia is a bleeding disorder.
What does the term ischaemia refer to?
- Restriction of blood supply to the heart
- Restriction of blood supply to tissues
- Restriction of blood supply to the liver
- Restriction of blood supply to the kidneys
Explanation: Answer reason: Ischaemia is defined as inadequate blood supply to tissues, leading to oxygen deprivation; it is not limited to any single organ.
What is the term for pain in the urinary bladder?
- Arthralgia
- Neuralgia
- Myalgia
- Cystalgia
Explanation: Answer reason: Cyst/o refers to the bladder and -algia means pain; therefore bladder pain is cystalgia. Arthralgia is joint pain, neuralgia is nerve pain, and myalgia is muscle pain.
What is the medical term for the breast?
- Mastic gland
- Mammary gland
- Zeis gland
- Meibomian gland
Explanation: Answer reason: The anatomical/medical term for the breast is the mammary gland. Zeis and Meibomian glands are eyelid glands; 'Mastic gland' is not a breast term.
Blood in urine is the symptom of which condition?
- Urethritis
- Hemoptysis
- Epistaxis
- Hematuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Hematuria literally means blood in the urine. Hemoptysis is coughing up blood, epistaxis is nosebleed, and urethritis is urethral inflammation.
What is the term for an irrational pathological fear of strangers?
- Agoraphobia
- Acrophobia
- Algophobia
- Xenophobia
Explanation: Answer reason: Xenophobia refers to an irrational fear or dislike of strangers or foreigners; agoraphobia is fear of open/public spaces, acrophobia is fear of heights, and algophobia is fear of pain.
What is the term for the passage of gas or air from the urethra during or after voiding?
- Pneumaturia
- Uraemia
- Dysuria
- Strangury
Explanation: Answer reason: Pneumaturia specifically denotes the passage of air or gas in the urine, commonly from a fistula or gas-forming infection. Uraemia is toxin accumulation from renal failure; dysuria is painful urination; strangury is slow, painful, drop-by-drop urination.
What is the term for inflammation of the oral mucous membrane?
- Stomatitis
- Uvulitis
- Tonsillitis
- Mucositis
Explanation: Answer reason: Stomatitis specifically means inflammation of the mouth’s mucous membranes. Uvulitis is inflammation of the uvula, tonsillitis of the tonsils, and mucositis is a general term for mucous membranes, not specific to the mouth.
What is the term for an outbreak of disease in a bird population?
- Ornithology
- Epornithic
- Oncology
Explanation: Answer reason: Epornithic refers to an epizootic outbreak among birds. Ornithology is the study of birds, and Oncology is the study of cancer.
Vomiting of blood is known as?
- Epistaxis
- Hematemesis
- Hemoptysis
- Hemothorax
Explanation: Answer reason: Hematemesis specifically means vomiting blood; epistaxis is nosebleed, hemoptysis is coughing up blood, and hemothorax is blood in the pleural cavity.
Gynecology is the study of what?
- Heart
- Eye
- Women
- Blood
Explanation: Answer reason: Gynecology derives from Greek gyne meaning woman and refers to the medical study of the female reproductive system and women’s health.
What is the term for bleeding from the nose?
- Hyperemesis
- Haemoptysis
- Hematemesis
- Epistaxis
Explanation: Answer reason: Epistaxis is the medical term for a nosebleed. Hyperemesis is excessive vomiting, hematemesis is vomiting blood, and haemoptysis is coughing up blood.
Loss of appetite is termed as?
- Anorexia
- Aphagia
- Polyphagia
- Oligophagia
Explanation: Answer reason: Anorexia is the medical term for loss of appetite. Aphagia is inability to swallow, polyphagia is excessive hunger, and oligophagia is reduced food intake.
What is the term for fear of disease?
- Nyctophobia
- Nosophobia
- Dissociative disorder
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Nosophobia is the specific phobia of having or developing a disease. Nyctophobia is fear of the dark, and dissociative disorder is not a phobia, so 'All of the above' is incorrect.
What is the surgical removal of ovaries called?
- Orchidectomy
- Oophorectomy
- Hysterectomy
- Salpingectomy
Explanation: Answer reason: Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries. Orchidectomy removes testes, hysterectomy removes the uterus, and salpingectomy removes the fallopian tubes.
Fever is also known as what?
- Anorexia
- Pyrexia
- Nausea
- Hypothesis
Explanation: Answer reason: The medical term for fever is pyrexia. Anorexia is loss of appetite, nausea is queasiness, and hypothesis is a scientific assumption.
Which of the following medical terms means difficulty swallowing?
- Aphasia
- Dysphasia
- Dysphagia
- Dyspnea
Explanation: Answer reason: Dysphagia combines dys- (difficulty) and -phagia (swallowing). Aphasia and dysphasia refer to language/speech problems, and dyspnea is difficulty breathing.
What is the name of the physician who specializes in pregnancy?
- Cardiologist
- Hepatologist
- Obstetrician
- Neonatologist
Explanation: Answer reason: An obstetrician is the physician specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period; the other options focus on heart, liver, or newborn care.
What is the type of condition of the toenail called?
- Onchyosis
- Onchycryosis
- Episthotonus
- Onchocryptosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Onchocryptosis is the correct term for an ingrown toenail. The other terms are incorrect or unrelated (e.g., epistotonus is a posture from severe muscle spasm).
What is the full form of PMA?
- Pre Morbid Activity
- Post Menopausal Activity
- Motor Activity
- Psycho Mental Activity
Explanation: Answer reason: In mental status examination, PMA commonly stands for psychomotor activity. Among the given choices, option D is the closest intended expansion (likely a typographical variant of psycho motor activity); the other options are incorrect.
What is the visualization of knee joints known as?
- Opthalmoscopy
- Antroscopy
- Laryngoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
Explanation: Answer reason: Knee joint visualization is arthroscopy; option B appears intended as this term and is the only joint-related procedure. The other options visualize the eye, larynx, or bronchi.
What is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder?
- Cystitis
- Candidiasis
- Nephrotitsis
- Halitosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Cystitis means inflammation of the bladder: cyst- (bladder) + -itis (inflammation). Candidiasis is a fungal infection, halitosis is bad breath, and nephrotitsis is not the correct term for kidney inflammation (nephritis).
What is the term for the presence of blood in stool?
- Melena
- Lochia
- Hemoptysis
- Hematemesis
Explanation: Answer reason: Melena refers to black, tarry stools due to gastrointestinal bleeding; lochia is postpartum vaginal discharge, hemoptysis is coughing up blood, and hematemesis is vomiting blood.
What is the term for painful urination?
- Anuria
- Dysuria
- Hematuria
- Polyuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Dysuria means painful or difficult urination. Anuria is no urine output, hematuria is blood in urine, and polyuria is excessive urination.
What is the term for inflammation of the kidney?
- Nephrosis
- Nephroptosis
- Nephritis
- Nephropathy
Explanation: Answer reason: The suffix -itis means inflammation, and nephro- refers to the kidney; therefore, nephritis means inflammation of the kidney.
What is the medical term for inflammation of the tongue?
- Glossitis
- Stomatitis
- Pharyngitis
- Laryngitis
Explanation: Answer reason: Glossitis specifically means inflammation of the tongue; stomatitis is inflammation of the mouth, pharyngitis of the throat, and laryngitis of the larynx.
What is the study of cancer called?
- Oncology
- Pedology
- Trichology
Explanation: Answer reason: Oncology is the field that studies and treats tumors and cancers; pedology relates to soils/children, and trichology is the study of hair.
What is the term for infection and inflammation of the testis?
- Orchitis
- Epididymitis
- Blepharitis
- Testitis
Explanation: Answer reason: Inflammation of the testis is termed orchitis. Epididymitis affects the epididymis, blepharitis the eyelid, and 'testitis' is not the standard term.
Is the use of medicine (drugs) to prevent disease called?
- Prophylaxis
- Anaphylaxis
- Diagnosis
- Prognosis
- Eradication
Explanation: Answer reason: Prophylaxis refers to using medications or measures to prevent disease. Anaphylaxis is an acute allergic reaction; diagnosis and prognosis relate to identifying disease and predicting outcome; eradication means eliminating a disease entirely.
What is the study of teeth called?
- Teethnology
- Dentists
- Skinology
- Biology
Explanation: Answer reason: The specific term for the study of teeth is odontology, which is not listed. Among the provided options, biology is the only valid scientific discipline; the others are incorrect or refer to practitioners.
Arthritis is inflammation of which body part?
- Artery
- Joint
- Kidney
- Heart
Explanation: Answer reason: The term arthritis literally means inflammation (-itis) of a joint (arthro-).
What does anosmia mean?
- Loss of speech
- Loss of sense of smell
- Loss of movement
- Inability to perform a particular action
Explanation: Answer reason: Anosmia is defined as the loss or absence of the sense of smell.
Dysphasia is known as which of the following?
- Walk
- Speech
- Swallowing
- Vision
Explanation: Answer reason: Dysphasia is an impairment of language/speech; dysphagia refers to swallowing.
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