TL;DR
Build a strong foundation in medical word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations used across all healthcare disciplines. Medical terminology is the language of healthcare and appears throughout the Medical Assistant Certification (CMA/RMA).
Free Medical Terminology Practice Questions
Medical Assistant Certification (CMA/RMA) · Anatomy & Physiology
This module covers Medical Terminology as part of the Anatomy & Physiology section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.
| Exam | Medical Assistant Certification (CMA/RMA) |
| Pass Rate | 72% |
| Duration | 160 minutes |
| Module | Medical Terminology |
Why Medical Terminology matters
Medical Terminology is a commonly tested topic on the Medical Assistant Certification (CMA/RMA) because it covers fundamental knowledge required for competent professional practice.
Sample Practice Questions (5)
1. A 58-year-old patient presents with right upper quadrant pain and fever. The physician documents "cholecystitis" in the chart. Based on the suffix "-itis," the medical assistant understands this diagnosis refers to:
- Inflammation of the gallbladder
- A disease process affecting the gallbladder
- Pain originating from the gallbladder
- Surgical removal of the gallbladder
2. The heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels are located within which body cavity?
- Thoracic cavity
- Abdominal cavity
- Pelvic cavity
- Cranial cavity
3. The directional term "proximal" refers to a structure that is:
- Closer to the point of attachment or origin
- Farther from the point of attachment or origin
- Toward the midline of the body
- Away from the midline of the body
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Start practicing free →4. Which of the following terms means "creation of a new opening into the colon"?
- Colostomy
- Colectomy
- Colonoscopy
- Colotomy
5. A patient is scheduled for a cholecystectomy after repeated episodes of biliary colic. The medical assistant is preparing the pre-operative paperwork. Based on the word parts "chol/e" (bile), "cyst/o" (bladder), and "-ectomy," this procedure involves:
- Surgical removal of the gallbladder
- Making an incision into the gallbladder to remove stones
- Visual examination of the gallbladder using a scope
- Creating a new opening between the gallbladder and intestine
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