Medical Terminology Practice Test 6
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 6th 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 6
What does HIV stand for?
- Human Infectious Virus
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Human Immune Virus
- Health Immune Virus
Explanation: Answer reason: HIV is the standard medical acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a retrovirus that targets the immune system, particularly CD4+ T lymphocytes, leading to immunodeficiency over time. The other options are not recognized expansions of the acronym and do not accurately describe the established term used in healthcare.
Vomiting is termed as?
- Diarrhoea
- Pyrexia
- Emesis
- Vertigo
Explanation: Answer reason: Emesis is the medical term for vomiting (forceful expulsion of gastric contents). Diarrhoea refers to frequent loose stools, pyrexia means fever, and vertigo is a sensation of spinning or dizziness. Therefore, the correct term for vomiting is emesis.
Pain in a joint is called ...?
- Neuralgia
- Myalgia
- Arthralgia
Explanation: Answer reason: Joint pain is termed arthralgia: "arthr-" refers to joints and "-algia" means pain. By contrast, myalgia is muscle pain ("myo-") and neuralgia is nerve pain ("neur-"). Therefore, the correct term for pain in a joint is arthralgia.
Pain during urination called –?
- Cystitis
- Hematuria
- Dysuria
- Pyelonephri
Explanation: Answer reason: Painful or difficult urination is termed dysuria. Cystitis refers to inflammation/infection of the bladder and can cause dysuria but is not the definition of pain during urination. Hematuria means blood in the urine, and pyelonephritis refers to kidney infection, neither of which specifically defines painful urination.
The surgical removal of the testis is called?
- Hysterectomy
- Orchiectomy
- Vasectomy
- Oophorectomy
Explanation: Answer reason: Orchiectomy is the medical term for surgical removal of one or both testes (orchid/testis + -ectomy/removal). Hysterectomy refers to removal of the uterus, oophorectomy refers to removal of an ovary, and vasectomy is a sterilization procedure involving transection/occlusion of the vas deferens rather than removal of the testis. Therefore, the correct term for testis removal is orchiectomy.
The abbreviation “NPO” means?
- No pain observed
- Normal pulse only
- Nothing by mouth
- Nutrition plan ordered
Explanation: Answer reason: NPO is the standard medical abbreviation from Latin (nil per os) meaning the patient should have nothing by mouth—no food or fluids orally. This order is commonly used before procedures requiring anesthesia/sedation to reduce aspiration risk, or when oral intake is temporarily unsafe. The other choices are not recognized meanings for NPO in clinical documentation.
In Medical Terminology, what does STAT means?
- As needed
- After meals
- Before meals
- Immediately at once
Explanation: Answer reason: In medical orders, "STAT" indicates an action that must be carried out immediately, without delay, typically due to urgency or potential patient harm. It is distinct from PRN (as needed) and timing abbreviations related to meals (AC before meals, PC after meals). Therefore, the best match is "Immediately at once.
The term used to describe blood in the urine ...?
- Glycosuria
- Hematuri
- Pyuria
- Albuminuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood in the urine is termed hematuria (option B is a truncated spelling: “Hematuri”). Glycosuria refers to glucose in urine, pyuria refers to pus/white blood cells in urine, and albuminuria refers to albumin (protein) in urine. Therefore, the best match for blood in the urine is hematuria.
UTI stands for ____?
- Urinary Tuberculosis Infection
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Urine Toxic Infection
- Urinary Tube Inflammation
Explanation: Answer reason: UTI is the standard medical abbreviation for urinary tract infection, referring to infection anywhere along the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys). It is most commonly a bacterial infection, often involving the bladder (cystitis). The other options are not recognized expansions of the abbreviation UTI in clinical usage.
Hepatology means a study of?
- Liver
- Blood
- Kidney
- Heart
Explanation: Answer reason: Hepatology is the branch of medicine focused on the liver, including its anatomy, function, diseases (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis), and related disorders. The combining form "hepat-" refers to liver, and "-logy" means study of. Therefore, the correct choice is liver. The other options refer to different specialties (hematology = blood, nephrology = kidney, cardiology = heart).
Pain in urinary bladder is term as ...?
- Arthralgia
- Neuralgia
- Myalgia
- None
Explanation: Answer reason: Pain originating from the urinary bladder is termed cystalgia (also called vesicalgia). Arthralgia refers to joint pain, neuralgia refers to nerve pain, and myalgia refers to muscle pain, so none of these match bladder pain. Therefore, the best option provided is "None.
What is the term for the study of muscles?
- Osteology
- Arthrology
- Myology
- Myolinology
Explanation: Answer reason: Myology is the branch of science that studies muscles, including their structure and function. Osteology refers to the study of bones, and arthrology refers to the study of joints. "Myolinology" is not a standard anatomical/medical term used for the study of muscles.
The full form of AIDS is —?
- Acute Immune Disease Syndrome
- Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
- Auto Immune Disorder Syndrome
- Anti Immune Disease System
Explanation: Answer reason: AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a condition characterized by progressive immune system impairment due to HIV infection. “Acquired” distinguishes it from inherited immunodeficiencies, and “immunodeficiency” reflects loss of immune function, especially CD4+ T-cell depletion. The other options use incorrect words (acute/autoimmune/anti-immune) that do not describe the syndrome caused by HIV.
FEVER is medically termed ...?
- Hypothermia
- Dyspepsia
- Anemia
- Pyrexia
Explanation: Answer reason: Fever is medically termed pyrexia, referring to an elevated body temperature due to a raised hypothalamic set point, commonly from infection or inflammation. Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature, dyspepsia is indigestion, and anemia is reduced oxygen-carrying capacity from low hemoglobin/RBCs. Therefore, the correct term for fever among the options is pyrexia.
Pain in ear is called?
- Otalgia
- Myalgia
- Gastralgia
- Neuralgia
Explanation: Answer reason: Otalgia specifically means ear pain (oto- = ear, -algia = pain). Myalgia refers to muscle pain, gastralgia refers to stomach/epigastric pain, and neuralgia refers to nerve pain. Therefore, the correct term for pain in the ear is otalgia.
Presence of blood in urine called?
- Haematemesis
- Haematochezia
- Haematuria
- Haemoptysis
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood in the urine is termed haematuria (gross or microscopic). The other options refer to bleeding from different sources: haematemesis is vomiting blood, haematochezia is passage of fresh blood per rectum, and haemoptysis is coughing up blood. Haemolysis is destruction of red blood cells, not specifically blood appearing in urine.
Bleeding from the nose is ...?
- Rhinitis
- Epistaxis
- Sinusitis
- Hemoplysis
Explanation: Answer reason: Bleeding from the nose is medically termed epistaxis. Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal mucosa (often causing congestion and rhinorrhea), and sinusitis is inflammation/infection of the paranasal sinuses. Hemoplysis (likely intended as hemoptysis) is coughing up blood from the lower respiratory tract, not nasal bleeding.
The abbreviation "Rx" refers to what?
- Prescription
- Receive
- Refill
Explanation: Answer reason: Rx" is the standard abbreviation/symbol used in healthcare to denote a prescription or prescribed treatment/medication order. It appears on medication orders and pharmacy labels to indicate an authorized medication regimen. "Receive" and "Refill" are not what the abbreviation Rx means, even though refills may be part of a prescription.
What is the medical term for difficulty breathing?
- Dysphagia
- Dyspnea
- Dysuria
- Dysphasia
Explanation: Answer reason: Dyspnea is the medical term meaning difficult or labored breathing (shortness of breath). The other options refer to different problems: dysphagia is difficulty swallowing, dysuria is painful/difficult urination, and dysphasia is an impairment of speech/language. Therefore, dyspnea is the correct term for difficulty breathing.
Absence of breathing is medically termed as?
- Dyspnea
- Hyperpnea
- Apnea
- Tachypnea
Explanation: Answer reason: Apnea is defined as the absence or cessation of breathing. Dyspnea refers to difficult or labored breathing, hyperpnea indicates increased depth and rate of breathing, and tachypnea is an abnormally rapid respiratory rate. Therefore, the correct term for absence of breathing is apnea.
Presence of blood in urine is ---?
- Hematochezia
- Melena
- Pyuria
- Hematuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood in the urine is termed hematuria. Hematochezia refers to passage of fresh blood per rectum, and melena refers to black, tarry stools from digested blood. Pyuria indicates pus/white blood cells in urine rather than red blood cells.
What does the term oliguria mean?
- Reduced urinary output
- Increased urinary output
- No urinary output
- Infected urine
Explanation: Answer reason: Oliguria is defined as abnormally decreased urine output, commonly operationalized in adults as less than about 400–500 mL per day or <0.5 mL/kg/hour. It is distinct from anuria, which is essentially no urine output. Therefore, the best match is reduced urinary output.
Fever is medically called?
- Hypothermia
- Pyrexia
- Hyperplasia
- Anemia
Explanation: Answer reason: Fever is the regulated elevation of body temperature due to an increased hypothalamic set-point, most often triggered by pyrogens during infection or inflammation. The medical term for fever is pyrexia. Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature, hyperplasia is increased cell number, and anemia is reduced oxygen-carrying capacity from low hemoglobin/RBCs.
The abbreviation "Dx" refers to what?
- Disorder
- Diagnosis
- Dosage
Explanation: Answer reason: Dx" is a standard clinical abbreviation used in charting and medical documentation to mean diagnosis. It commonly appears alongside terms like "Tx" (treatment) and "Hx" (history). The other options are not standard expansions of "Dx" in medical terminology.
Polydipsia means ...?
- Excessive hungry
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive vomiting
- Excessive fever
Explanation: Answer reason: Polydipsia is a medical term meaning excessive thirst. It is commonly associated with conditions that increase plasma osmolality or cause fluid loss, such as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (osmotic diuresis) or diabetes insipidus. The other options correspond to different terms (e.g., polyphagia for excessive hunger). Therefore, “Excessive thirst” is the best answer.
What does the term phlebotomy actually mean?
- Removal of a vein
- Incision of a vein
- Testing of blood
- Withdrawal of red blood cells
Explanation: Answer reason: Phlebotomy comes from Greek roots: "phleb-" meaning vein and "-tomy" meaning cutting or incision. Historically, it referred to venipuncture/bloodletting by opening a vein. In modern clinical use it commonly means drawing blood, but the literal definition is incision into a vein, making that option most accurate.
This element does not require a combining vowel?
- Suffix
- Prefix
- Root
- Combining form
Explanation: Answer reason: A combining vowel is typically used to link a word root to another root or to a suffix that begins with a consonant, improving pronunciation (e.g., cardi/o/vascular). Prefixes attach directly to the beginning of a root and do not take a combining vowel. Therefore, the element that does not require a combining vowel is the prefix. Suffixes may or may not require a combining vowel depending on whether they begin with a vowel or consonant, so they are not the best single answer.
This element can only appear at the end of the term?
- Prefix
- Suffix
- Root
- Combining form
Explanation: Answer reason: A suffix is the word element that is added to the end of a medical term to modify its meaning, often indicating a condition, disease process, procedure, or part of speech. Prefixes appear at the beginning of a term. Roots carry the core meaning and can appear in the middle, and combining forms are roots plus a vowel used to link elements, not restricted to the end. Therefore, the element that can only appear at the end is the suffix.
This element can identify color?
- Suffix
- Prefix
- Root
- Combining form
Explanation: Answer reason: In medical terminology, many prefixes indicate attributes such as color (e.g., cyano- = blue, leuko- = white, melano- = black, xantho- = yellow). Roots generally name the body part or main concept, while suffixes typically describe conditions, procedures, or specialties. A combining form is a root plus a vowel (usually “o”) to connect word parts, not primarily to denote color. Therefore, the element that can identify color is the prefix. Category reason: The question tests word-part meaning in medical terms (prefix/root/suffix/combining form), which is a core Medical Terminology concept rather than patient-care decision-making.
Epigastric means?
- Below the stomach
- Above the stomach
- Inside the stomach
- Stomach
Explanation: Answer reason: The prefix "epi-" means "upon" or "above," and "gastric" refers to the stomach. Therefore, "epigastric" describes the region above the stomach (the upper central abdomen). The other options are incorrect because they describe below the stomach, inside the stomach, or the stomach itself rather than the area above it.
All of the following are adjectival suffixes EXCEPT?
- -ary
- -ior
- -ac
- -ole
Explanation: Answer reason: The suffixes -ary, -ior, and -ac are commonly used to form adjectives in medical terminology (e.g., pulmonary, posterior/anterior, cardiac). In contrast, -ole is typically a diminutive noun suffix meaning "small" (e.g., arteriole) rather than an adjectival ending. Therefore, -ole is the option that is not an adjectival suffix.
An example of a diagnostic suffix is?
- -gram
- -desis
- -scopy
- -itis
Explanation: Answer reason: The suffix "-scopy" means visual examination using a scope (e.g., endoscopy, colonoscopy), which is a diagnostic procedure. By contrast, "-gram" refers to a record or image produced, "-desis" indicates surgical fixation, and "-itis" indicates inflammation (a condition). Therefore, "-scopy" is the best example of a diagnostic suffix among the options.
An example of a prefix meaning position is?
- Ab-
- Uni-
- Post-
- Brady-
Explanation: Answer reason: The prefix "ab-" means "away from" (e.g., abduction = movement away from the midline), which describes position/direction. "Post-" means "after/behind" (time or location), "uni-" means "one," and "brady-" means "slow" (rate). Therefore, the clearest prefix specifically indicating position/direction among the choices is "ab-.
An example of a prefix meaning direction or location is?
- Para-
- Sub-
- Hemi-
- Poly-
Explanation: Answer reason: The prefix "sub-" means under or below, which directly describes location/direction in anatomical and medical terminology. By contrast, "hemi-" means half and "poly-" means many, which describe quantity. "Para-" can mean beside/near or abnormal, but "sub-" is the clearest and most consistently used location/direction prefix among the options.
An example of a surgical suffix is?
- -desis
- -crit
- -coma
- -ac
Explanation: Answer reason: The suffix "-desis" refers to surgical fixation or binding (e.g., arthrodesis = surgical fixation/fusion of a joint). In contrast, "-ac" is an adjective suffix meaning "pertaining to," and "-coma" refers to a clinical state (coma), not a procedure. "-crit" is not a standard surgical suffix in medical terminology.
An example of a noun suffix is?
- -algia
- -tomy
- -ist
- -philia
Explanation: Answer reason: The suffix “-ist” forms a noun meaning a person who specializes in or practices something (e.g., pharmacist, radiologist). In contrast, “-algia” indicates pain, “-tomy” indicates a surgical incision, and “-philia” indicates attraction/affinity, which are not primarily person-noun forming suffixes. Therefore, “-ist” is the best example of a noun suffix among the choices.
Lack of oxygen is known as?
- Hypoxia
- Dyspnea
- Diabetes
- Apnea
Explanation: Answer reason: Hypoxia refers to insufficient oxygen available to the tissues (low tissue oxygenation). Dyspnea is the subjective sensation of difficult or labored breathing, not necessarily a lack of oxygen. Apnea is cessation of breathing, which can lead to hypoxia but is not synonymous with it. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder unrelated to oxygen deficiency as a definition.
Fever is also known as ...?
- Hypoxia
- Hypertension
- Hydrophobia
- Pyrexia
Explanation: Answer reason: Fever is medically termed pyrexia, referring to an elevated body temperature due to a raised hypothalamic set point (often from infection or inflammation). Hypoxia refers to low tissue oxygenation, hypertension to elevated blood pressure, and hydrophobia to fear/avoidance of water (classically associated with rabies). Therefore, pyrexia is the correct synonym for fever.
What is a hysterectomy?
- Removal of the testes
- Removal of the ovaries
- Removal of the uterus
- Removal of the spleen
Explanation: Answer reason: A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus; it may be partial (subtotal/supracervical) or total, and may or may not include removal of the cervix and adnexa. Removal of the ovaries is an oophorectomy, removal of the testes is an orchiectomy, and removal of the spleen is a splenectomy. Therefore the best answer is removal of the uterus.
CSF full meaning is ...?
- Cerebro spinal fluid
- Carbon spinal fluid
- Contain spinal fluid
- Cerebro spin fluids
Explanation: Answer reason: CSF is the standard medical abbreviation for cerebrospinal fluid, the clear fluid that circulates in the ventricles and subarachnoid space, providing cushioning and metabolic support to the brain and spinal cord. Among the options, only "Cerebro spinal fluid" corresponds to this established term (despite the common omission of the combined word "cerebrospinal"). The other options are not recognized medical expansions of CSF.
A medical term is used For thickening of Tongue is called?
- Pachyglossia
- Aplasia
- Encephalitis
- Hyperstosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Pachyglossia literally means “thick tongue” (pachy- = thick; -glossia = tongue). Aplasia refers to failure of an organ or tissue to develop. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, and hyperostosis is excessive bone growth—neither relates to tongue thickening.
Bleeding from gums is called?
- Gingival
- Hematuria
- Hemoptysis
- Hemarthrosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Bleeding from the gums is termed gingival bleeding (gingival hemorrhage), referring to bleeding originating from the gingiva. By contrast, hematuria is blood in urine, hemoptysis is coughing up blood from the respiratory tract, and hemarthrosis is bleeding into a joint space. Therefore the correct term for gum bleeding among the options is "Gingival.
What is the study of liver is called ...?
- Neurology
- Hepatology
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
Explanation: Answer reason: Hepatology is the medical specialty focused on the liver and its diseases; the prefix "hepato-" refers to the liver. Neurology concerns the nervous system, cardiology concerns the heart, and dermatology concerns the skin. Therefore, the correct term for the study of the liver is hepatology.
What is the medical term for difficulty urinating?
- Dysuria
- Retention
- Urgency
- Frequency
Explanation: Answer reason: Dysuria is the medical term for painful or difficult urination, commonly described as burning or discomfort with voiding. "Retention" refers to inability to empty the bladder, while "urgency" is a sudden compelling need to urinate. "Frequency" refers to urinating more often than usual, not difficulty passing urine.
Anosmia is loss of?
- Smell
- Taste
- Vision
- Hearing
Explanation: Answer reason: Anosmia specifically refers to the loss or absence of the sense of smell (olfaction). In clinical terminology, ageusia is loss of taste, amaurosis/visual loss refers to vision, and anacusis refers to hearing loss. Therefore, the best answer is smell.
What is the condition of no urine formation called?
- Polyuria
- Diuresis
- Anuria
- Oliguria
Explanation: Answer reason: Anuria refers to the absence of urine output (often clinically <100 mL/day), indicating essentially no urine formation or excretion. In contrast, oliguria is reduced urine output, not complete absence. Polyuria and diuresis both describe increased urine output/urination rather than none. Therefore, the correct term for no urine formation/output is anuria.
Excessive sweating is known as?
- Hydronephrosis
- Hyperplasia
- Hypertrophy
- Hyperhidrosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Excessive sweating is termed hyperhidrosis, referring to abnormally increased sweat production beyond thermoregulatory needs.
________ is the expectoration of blood or blood-tinged sputum from the lungs or tracheobronchial tree?
- Hemorrhoid
- Hemoptysis
- Hemolysis
- Hemostasis
Explanation: Answer reason: Hemoptysis specifically means coughing up blood or blood-streaked sputum originating from the lower respiratory tract (lungs or tracheobronchial tree). Hemorrhoids are dilated rectal/anal veins, hemolysis is destruction of red blood cells, and hemostasis is the physiologic process of stopping bleeding. Therefore the term that matches expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract is hemoptysis.
Absence of urine is termed as?
- Polyuria
- Anuria
- Hematuria
- Albuminuria
Explanation: Answer reason: Anuria means absence of urine output (clinically often defined as extremely low output, e.g., <100 mL/day in adults). Polyuria is increased urine volume, hematuria is blood in the urine, and albuminuria is protein (albumin) in the urine. Therefore, the term for absence of urine is anuria.
Inflammation of tongue is called?
- Glossitis
- Rhinitis
- Gastritis
- Colitis
Explanation: Answer reason: The suffix "-itis" means inflammation, and "gloss-" refers to the tongue, so tongue inflammation is termed glossitis. Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa, gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, and colitis is inflammation of the colon. Therefore, "Glossitis" is the only option that correctly matches the anatomic root with the inflammatory suffix.
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