Medical Terminalogy

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Has anyone taken mdical terminalogy? Is the course difficult. I will be taking the course in September. Does anyone have any tips on how to study?

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Specializes in ER.

I took it last semester and thought it was pretty easy. I found the best way to study was with the notecards that came with the book.

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I took a medical terminology course when I was going for medical transcription. It will seem very overwhelming at first, lots to remember, but once you get the basic format of how medical terms are broken down, it gets a lot easier. For example, append = appendix, ectomy = removal, so appendectomy is removal of the appendix. Or itis = inflammation so appendecitis = inflammation of the appendix. I agree with nursein08, notecards are the best study tool. Good luck!

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Specializes in sub-acute.

I graduated from LPN school last month. Prior to starting school I made the textbook for Medical Terminology my bathroom book, lol. Best way to study something that dry, its just vocabulary afterall.

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Medical terminology at our school is tough!! My advisor said it has one of the highest failure rates out of courses offered. I think some people under estimate it. I had to study, study, study! I studied more for this course than I did in chemistry or biology. I got an A but more did I work for it. I also was taking it as a filler course and boy did I regret it once I saw how much work it required.

My tip on doing great is flashcards!! I had at least 200 flash cards a chapter. My husband thought I was crazy when I kept telling him to pick me up flashcards after work. Finally he brought home a case. LOL

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I took it 2 semesterrs ago and it was ok. I had a rough understanding of the topics already and used flashcards to memorize the terms.

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rough if you have a bad memory. It was pretty easy for me, but it all depends on how you study and how the test is set up. If it is multiple choice, not as hard as fill in the blank. Still, not real hard inmho.

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Flash cards are a must! This is pure memorization. Try to associate as many of the terms as you can with people you know who have had medical problems. Attach the terms to that person.

This is all about word parts, disease and disorder terms, suffix's and prefix's. Random; nephroectomy - nephro = kidney and ectomy = excision. Also closely related, combining forms are the key to understanding and connecting these terms.

Also, some programs are very strict on pronunciation, which is a major problem for people who speak english as a second language. I have witnessed an "A" test-taker get knocked down to a "C" for poor pronunciation (I must admit I had a diffucult time understanding her, even though I knew what she was trying to say). Take the time for repetitive learning on this one. It's not hard if you keep up with the class.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

It was not the easiest class, but I have worked harder for an A before (like chem:lol2: ) Do not try to learn all the words by themselves. Lean the prefixes, roots, ect... Like "Hypo" means below "hyper" means above "ism" means condition...you get "Hyper-thyroid-ism" and "hypo-throid-ism"

I used the "quick study academic" fold outs that everything you would every need. http://www.barcharts.com/

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

try reviewing prefix, suffix, and root meanings, and then combining them into words.

after a while, you will be able to sort out just about any word from its parts. It will seem a bit tedious at first, but it is worth it.

The flash card thing is a great idea, and add a tape recorder. If you hear it and see it, you get it!

An old physics teacher of mine used to say, you learn alot at the end of a pencil. Write the words a few times, that helps too.

My sister is a teacher and she says that anything you repeat 35 times is yours forever. Oy~ but it is worth a try!

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That used to be a pre-requisite for the program at our school, but they have switched it from med. terminology to Pharmacology. I took it last semester. I may still take med. terminology just because....

I am glad I took Pharm., but I think med. terminology would be good to take too.

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