Administration
in Medical Settings
Certificate Level 2
PROGRAMME
Learner Name: ……………………………………………………………………
Company: …………………………………………………………………………
Tutor/Mentor: ……………………………………………………………………..
Start Date: …………………………………………………………………………
Contents
Module 1
Medical vocabulary
Module 2
Medical administration skills in the work setting
Module 3
Communication skills in a medical setting
Module 4
Principles for the administrator in a medical setting
Module 1 Medical vocabulary
Introduction
The aim of this module is to allow the learner to gain an understanding of the
terminology that is used within the medical profession. They will learn the structure of
medical words and the meanings of these words, which will enable them in their role
in administration. The learner will also acquire knowledge of medical terminology in
regards to the human body and the abbreviations that are used within the
pharmaceutical department.
Learning outcomes
When the module is completed, the learner will:
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Know how medical word parts are constructed and what they mean
Understand the meaning of medical terms in relation to the human body
Understand the meaning of medical terminology relating to medical specialities
Know the meaning of pharmaceutical abbreviations.
Definitions of medical word parts
There are thousands of different words, abbreviations and
terms that are used within the medical profession. It would
be impossible to learn and remember each and every one
of them; however, there are some that you will
undoubtedly see on many occasions whilst doing your job.
This module will help you to recognise and understand
many of the terms, compositions and abbreviations.
Most of the medical words that you will be working with are made up of root words
and are combined with prefixes and suffixes. A prefix has what is called a
droppable ‘o’; this connects the prefix to the root word which begins with a
consonant. This means that the ‘o’ is dropped when it is connected to a root word
that begins with a vowel.
The root word is a term which usually describes a body part or the central part of the
word, i.e.:
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Cardio means heart
Derma means skin
Mal means bad
Poly means many
Path means feeling or suffering.
Prefixes are letters or words at the beginning of a root word, for instance un or pre;
these make up another word:


Un-successful
Pre-menstrual.
Suffixes are letters or words at the end of another word to create a different word,
such as:

-ology as in pathology
Droppable o's are in place in certain words such as osteopathy - oste is the root
word, o is the combining vowel and -apathy is the suffix.
Medical terms derived from the medical word parts
Here you will discover some of the commonly-used medical root words, suffixes and
prefixes of words.
Common medical root words:
A's
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Abdomin/o: Abdomen
Aden/o: Gland
Anter/o: Front
Audi/o: Hearing
Adip/o: Fat
Axill/o: Armpit
Aden/o: Gland
Acous/o: Hearing.
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Bio: Life
Bronch/o: Bronchial tube
Bronch/i, bronch/o: Bronchus.
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Carcin/o: Cancer
Cardi/o: Heart
Cyt/o: Cell
Cyst/o: Urinary bladder.
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Derm/a, derm/o, dermat/o: Skin
Dors/i, dors/o: Back or posterior.

Encephal/o: Brain.
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Gastr/o: Stomach
Gynec/o: Female.
B's
C's
D's
E's
G's
H's
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Hemat/o: Blood
Histio: Tissue.

Intestin/o: Intestine.
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Lymph/o: Lymph vessels
Lapar/o: Abdomen.
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Malign: Harmful
My/o: Muscle.
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Neur/o: Nerve.
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Ocul/o: Eye
Or/o: Mouth
Ot/o: Ear.
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Pharmac/o: Drug
Paed: Children.
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Thorac/o: Chest/thorax
Trachel/o: Neck or neck-like
Toxo: Poison.
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Ventr/i, ventr/o: Front of body
Viscer/o: Viscera (internal organs).
I's
L's
M's
N's
O's
P's
T's
V's
Some examples of suffixes:
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-AEMIA means condition of blood
-OSIS means disease/condition
-ECTOMY means excision/removal
-ITIS means inflammation
-OMA means tumour
-PATHY means disease
-OLOGY means study/science of
-PHERESIS means removal.
Some examples of prefixes:
A's
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ab- means away from
ad- means near/toward
abdomin(o)- of or relating to the abdomen
acous(io)- of or relating to hearing
adip(o)- of or relating to fat or fatty tissue.
B's
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C's
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D's
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E's
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F's
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I's
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P's
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S's
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bi- means two/both.
capit- means pertaining to the head (as a whole)
chem(o)- means chemistry, drug.
dys- means difficult/painful
de- means away from, cessation.
ecto- means outside
endo- means inside
epi- means upon
enter(o)- means of or pertaining to the intestine.
fore- means before or ahead
hyper- means excessive or above.
inter- means between.
peri- means around
post- means after.
sub- means under/below.
Medical terminology relating to the human body
Definitions of medical terms relating to the human body
Here you will learn the systems of the body and the medical conditions that affect
that specific condition. The systems of the body are:

The digestive system
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The circulatory and cardiovascular systems
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The endocrine and urinary systems
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The excretory system
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The immune system
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The lymphatic system
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The integumentary system
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The nervous and sensory systems
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The muscular system
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The reproductive system
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The skeletal system.
Administration
in Medical Settings
Certificate Level 2
Student Assessment Workbook
Learner Name: ……………………………………………………………………
Company: …………………………………………………………………………
Tutor/Mentor: ……………………………………………………………………..
Start Date: …………………………………………………………………………
ACTIVITY EXERCISES
The purpose of the following exercises is to enable you to identify what you have
learned from reading your programme. The exercises will assist you to be ready to
complete your final examination.
Try to answer each question thoroughly and only include relevant information in the
answers. You may find it helpful to jot down your answers first in the ‘notes’ pages
throughout your workbook. You can then summarise your information to contain only
the main points, before writing your answers. Write your answers neatly in your
workbook. If you have any difficulty finding answers to any of the questions, you
must always ask for support.
If you require additional space to write down your answers add loose pages to the
workbook, making sure that they are securely attached and cannot get lost.
When you have completed each module, remove the relevant sheets, staple them
together and submit them to your tutor by the method agreed. Please remember to
insert your name on each sheet of paper. Use the grid below (using a tick) to record
the fact that you have submitted work to the tutor and that you have received it back
with feedback.
Modules
Sent to Tutor
1
2
3
4
Received Back
© NCC Asset Management and NCC Resources Ltd 2014
Product Code: NCCCW052
The author, publisher and distributor of this book have made every effort to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of
the content of this publication. In all instances you should take advice in relation to any local policies or procedures prior to
making any decisions or taking any actions relating to the subject matter contained herein.
No warranty is given or implied with respect to its content. Consequently in no event will the author, publisher or distributor be
liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of the information contained in this
book.
V1.0214 issue April 2014
Published by NCC Resources Ltd, Alexandra Business Park, Prescot Road, St Helens WA10 3TT
Tel. 01744 639746 Fax 01744 639775 email enquiries@ncc.ac.uk Web www.ncc.ac.uk
Module 1 - Medical vocabulary
Activity 1.1
What is meant by the term root words? Give two examples of them.
(1.1.1)
Activity 1.2
What is meant by the term prefix? Give two examples of them.
(1.1.2)
Activity 1.3
What is meant by the word suffix? Give two examples of them.
(1.1.2)
Activity 1.4
Which of the digestive conditions directly affect the bowel?
(1.2.1)
Activity 1.5
If left untreated, what can high cholesterol levels result in?
(1.2.1)
Activity 1.6
What are polycystic ovaries?
(1.2.1)