medical terminology

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Im going to start nursing school after failing last year. It was bc of the layout of the tests. My question is should I take medical terminology this summer even though its not required? I have a friend that still has her book she will let me use can I just read the book? Just wondering what's the best approach.thanks!

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I don't understand what you are saying. What was it about the test layout that caused you to fail? Were you unable to understand how to enter answers? Was the font unreadable? Most importantly, did you talk to your instructors about this problem? If so, what was their feedback?

If you are trying to improve your chances of success, I suggest that you work on figuring out how to deal with the test layout issue rather than focusing your energy on a course that is not required.

Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

Well to answer your question, med terminology helps quite a bit, especially learning new topics. I read the book and understood it, but that's because i read it a few times and had a history in experience in the medical field. For someone with little to no experience and time to burn, its a good idea.

On another note, you may want to review basic English. Your punctuation is lacking and needs work, text speak shouldn't be used (for example "bc"), and your sentences should be in plain English. I don't mean to be rude, but when I have to re-read a sentence to understand whats being asked, its an issue. That won't fly in a nursing program, and the professors would probably not look highly at you or recommend you retake a basic English class.

harsh but true...

Medical terminology couldn't hurt, I'd try it out!

If you can't understand how to answer the questions the medical terminology won't help you that much. Nursing has a very specific way they ask questions and eventually you need to learn how to do that. However if it is simply because you did not understand the lingo, then yes, a medical terminology class may help you. Ultimately it's really hard to fail out of nursing school because of not understanding the words-- most programs anticipate you DIDN'T take med term.

Specializes in Neuro Intensive Care.

Did you fail because of not understanding the medical terminology? If yes, then I would say it would be a good idea to look things over. But, of its the critical thinking format if the questions that caused you to fail, I wouldn't see how learning definitions of words would help.

Well to answer your question, med terminology helps quite a bit, especially learning new topics. I read the book and understood it, but that's because i read it a few times and had a history in experience in the medical field. For someone with little to no experience and time to burn, its a good idea.

On another note, you may want to review basic English. Your punctuation is lacking and needs work, text speak shouldn't be used (for example "bc"), and your sentences should be in plain English. I don't mean to be rude, but when I have to re-read a sentence to understand whats being asked, its an issue. That won't fly in a nursing program, and the professors would probably not look highly at you or recommend you retake a basic English class.

Dude- seriously? Couldn't just answer her question?

Did you fail because of not understanding the medical terminology? If yes then I would say it would be a good idea to look things over. But, of its the critical thinking format if the questions that caused you to fail, I wouldn't see how learning definitions of words would help.[/quote']

Agreed.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

Maybe your school's exams are different than my school's were; however, I must say that there was essentially no medical terminology that was not specifically related to the subject matter at hand. At most, they would use the most very basic, accepted abbreviations (e.g. "mg"). I really cannot see much help from taking this course.

We don't have a lot of medical terminology in our exams, it is more knowing how to answer critical thinking questions. Perhaps a book about critical thinking would help more? I truly believe once people figure out how to answer the questions, the questions are not that tough.

Well to answer your question, med terminology helps quite a bit, especially learning new topics. I read the book and understood it, but that's because i read it a few times and had a history in experience in the medical field. For someone with little to no experience and time to burn, its a good idea.

On another note, you may want to review basic English. Your punctuation is lacking and needs work, text speak shouldn't be used (for example "bc"), and your sentences should be in plain English. I don't mean to be rude, but when I have to re-read a sentence to understand whats being asked, its an issue. That won't fly in a nursing program, and the professos would probably not look highly at you or recommend you retake a basic English class.

My english is great! I was in a rush and using text code because I was in a hurry. I have seen it used here before, shouldn't be that much of a deal.

Anyways I was just asking since I have time this summer should I read the Medical Terminology book? I didn't fail because of terminology, it was simply because of the way the test were constructed. I have a business degree but we know Nursing tests are very different and that's why I didn't pass the first time.

I have read several books since my year off of school such as "Test Taking Strategies For Nursing Students" as well as others. So im confident I have that figured out. As far as Medical Terminology I was asking did most of you just learn as you go? ( I did in my first semester in regards to the medical terms). What would you suggest? I'm not sure how semesters 2-4 are relating to terminology and if its ok to just learn them as they come up.

Thanks

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