EXERCISES
RECOGNIZING LOOK ALIKES AND SOUND ALIKES
Below is a list of frequently used words that look alike and /or sound alike. Study
the meaning and pronunciation of each set of words, then read each sentence
carefully and circles the word in parentheses that correctly completes the meaning.
Addition: counting, increase
Edition: issue of a publication
Hole: opening
Whole: total, complete
Dilatation: synonym of dilation
Seen: noticed, viewed
Scene: sight, background display of emotion
Dilatation: synonym of dilation
Dilation: expansion of an organ or vessel
Dilution: a substance that has been diluted
(liquid has been added)
Do: to perform
Due: owing
States: (n)government
States: (v) express, says
Status: (n) rank, condition
Farther: (adv) refers to physical distance
Further: (adv) additional, extra, greater
Further: (v) to advance, to help
Father: (n) male parent
To: toward, through
Too: also, additionally
Two: numerical unit, pair
1. Tracheostomy establishes a (hole, whole) into the trachea.
2. Are you going to the medical conference with them (to, too, two)?
3. He lives (further, farther) from the hospital than I do.
4. If you have (further, farther) questions about medical procedure, please call.
5. The ambulance arrived on the (scene, seen) within a few minutes.
6. The lesion was (to, too, two) small to be seen by the naked eye.
7. The patient is (states, status) post hysterectomy
8. We went (to, too, two) the anatomy lecture yesterday.
9. With the (addition, edition) of hydrochlorothiazide, her blood pressure is now
under good control.
10. The pupils were (dilated, diluted) on exam.
CHOOSING WORDS FROM CONTEXT
When transcribing dictation, the medical transcriptionist frequently needs to determine the word
that correctly completes the sentence based on the situation. From the list of words below, select
the term that meaningfully completes each statement.
catheter genitalia renal failure
hematuria proximal
1. When we saw Mr. Johnson in our office, his exam revealed a blood pressure of 210/100
ascites, and pitting pedal edema. He was admitted to the hospital immediately with the diagnosis
of impending _renal failure____
2. The ___catheter____________ was inserted, and the urinary collection totaled only 50cc
in the first hour.
3. The IV catheter was placed _proximal________ to the antecubital fossa
4. After the Foley catheter was removed, the patient had a small amount of gross
_____hematuria____________, which cleared with the next void.
5. Pelvic exam revealed normal female_________genitalia________
PAIRING WORDS AND MEANINGS
A. edema E. viscera H. suprapubic B. Transurethral
F. proteinuria G. sonography D. idiopathic
1. Pertains to an operation performed through the urethra _______transurethral______________
2. presence of large amounts of protein in the urine ____________proteinuria_____________
3. abnormal collection of fluid in spaces between cells ______edema____________________
4. a disease for which no cause can be determined _________idiopathic____________________
5. main internal organs within body cavities _______________viscera____________________
6. use of ultrasound to produce an image ______________sonography______________
7. The area above the pubis __________________suprapubic___________________________
CREATING TERMS FROM WORD FORMS
In the following exercise, combine prefix, root words, and suffixes to create medical words that
fit the definitions below. Fill in the blanks with the words you construct.
Intra- inside -itis inflammation Extra- outside -ectomy removal,
incision Lymph/o clear, thin fluid nephr/o kidney
ath/o disease cyst/o bladder or sac Ur/o urine
1. removal of the kidneys
_______nephrectomy______________________________________________
2. difficult, painful urination
______dysuria____________________________________________
3. related to the liver
_____________________hepatic____________________________________
4. blood in the urine
______________hematuria___________________________________________
5. disease of the lymph glands
________lymphadenopathy_________________________________________
6. urination during the night
________nocturia__________________________________________
7. excessive urea in the blood
__________uremia_______________________________________
8. inflammation of the kidney
________nephritis_________________________________________
9. outside of the liver
________extrahepatic____________________________________________
MAKING EXPERT DECISIONS
Circle the correct word from the choices in parentheses.
1. The bladder neck was inspected beginning distally after
(ureteral/urethral) dilatation.
2. There was 3+ bacteria noted on microscopic exam and the patient was started on antibiotics
after a specimen was obtained for (CNS/C&S)
3. A contracture of the (vesical/vesicle) neck was noted.
4. Upon visualization, there were (to/too/two) patent ureters.
5. Examination revealed the (prostrate/prostate) to be normal in size and
benign in consistency.
Match the following terms with their meanings below:
edema diabetes mellitus abscess stricture
secondary hypertension catheter essential hypertension
diabetes insipidus renal colic
1. High blood pressure that is idiopathic ____essential hypertension _______________________
2. Swelling, fluid in tissues___________edema______________________
3. A narrowed area in a tube _______stricture________________________________
4. Collection of pus _____________abscess____________________________________
5. Inadequate secretion of insulin or improper utilization of insulin leads to this
condition ___________diabetes mellitus___________________________
6. High blood pressure caused by kidney disease or another disease
___secondary hypertension__________
7. A tube for withdrawing or giving fluid ______catheter______________________
8. Inadequate secretion or resistance of the kidney to the action of antidiuretic
hormone ____diabetic insipidus____________________
9. Severe pain resulting from a stone that is blocking a ureter or a
kidney ______________renal colic_________________
Match the following terms that pertain to urinalysis with their meanings below:
specific gravity pH ketonuria bilirubinuria
Hematuria pyuria albuminuria
1. Urine is turbid (cloudy) owing to the presence of polymorphonuclear
leukocytes and pus _____pyuria_________________
2. Sugar in the urine; a symptom of diabetes mellitus and a result of
hyperglycemia_______glycosuria__________
3. This urine test reflects the acidity or alkalinity of the urine_____pH___________
4. High levels of acids and acetones accumulate in the urine as a result of abnormal fat
catabolism ________ketoacidosis________
5. Dark pigment accumulates in urine as a result of liver or gallbladder
disease ______bilirubinuria________
6. This urine test reflects the concentration of the urine ___specific gravity___________
7. Leaky glomeruli can produce accumulation of protein in the urine
________albuminuria_________________
