Course Syllabus

Independent Study in Idaho

ISI Website | indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641

HCA 2210 Medical Terminology and Communication

Sponsoring Institution: Idaho State University

2 Credits

Instructor Information

Course Instructor: Stephen Wright

  • Phone: (208) 282-2593 
  • Office Hours: By email anytime (instructor is in MST timezone)

Professor Stephen WrightYour course developer is Stephen Wright, an Adjunct Professor of Health Care Administration at Idaho State University. He received his MA in Physical Education/Athletic Administration from Idaho State University in 2002. He has taught this course for Independent Study in Idaho since 2003.

Course Description

This course will prepare you to understand and be understood in the language of medicine. The text is organized into two types of chapters: introductory and body system. The introductory chapters (1–3) provide a foundation for building medical vocabulary. The body system chapters (4–16) present medical terms organized by body system. To be successful, you should complete all of the chapter exercises. All exams are multiple choice.

Terminology and vocabulary basic to all areas of medical science, hospital services, and allied health specialties. Develops skills in correct written and oral usage of medical terms. ISU students: Cross-listed as HE 2210 [Medical Terminology and Communication].  

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Identify and define word parts for each of the systems covered in this course.
  • Analyze and define the medical terms associated with the systems covered in this course.
  • Build medical terms given the definitions for those terms, using the appropriate prefixes, word roots and suffixes.
  • Identify the correct meanings for standard medical abbreviations.
  • Analyze and define the medical terms used in surgical and diagnostic procedures associated with the organs and body systems being covered in class.
  • Accurately spell medical terms.
  • Demonstrate comprehension and application of medical terms.

Required Materials

Pearson | MyLab | Medical Terminology

How to purchase "MyLab" Medical Terminology from Pearson:

  1. Register for MyLab
  2. Sign in with your Pearson student account, or create an account
    • For instructors creating a student account, do not use your instructor credentials
  3. Select any available access option, if asked.
    • Enter a prepaid access code that came with your textbook or from the bookstore
    • Buy instant access using a credit card or PayPal
    • Select Get Temporary access without payment for 14 days
  4. Select “Go to my course”
  5. Select “Medical Terminology” from My Courses

How to sign in later:

  1. Go to Pearson Website
  2. Sign in with the same Pearson account you used before
  3. Select “Medical Terminology” from My Courses

If you have questions concerning the My Medical Terminology Lab, please contact the publisher. If you contact Pearson support for help, give them the course ID: wright02199

Course Rules and Requirements

Lessons (Self-Study)

This course is structured with a body systems approach to learning medical language. Word parts are used to build, analyze, define, and spell medical terms. Structural, directional, disease and disorder, surgical and diagnostic terms, pronunciations, and abbreviations are included. Each chapter lesson in Medical Language includes different exercises (matching, fill-in-the-blank, definitions, etc.) to assist in the learning process. I  recommend completing every exercise in the textbook and in Canvas.

Each lesson in this course guide includes the following components:

  • reading assignment
  • self-study exercises

Assignment Guidelines

You will not submit any lesson assignments for this course. 

Exam Guidelines

Exams are closed book and closed note. Exams are delivered through Canvas.

See Grading Information for specific information on exam points and percentages. 

Recommendations for Word Study

Preparation—Objectives in Studying the Medical Language

There are three objectives to keep in mind as you study medical terminology:

  1. Analyze words by dividing them into component parts. I cannot emphasize this enough. This is the key to learning medical terminology. Your goal is to learn the tools of word analysis that will make the understanding of complex terminology easier. Do not simply memorize terms! Divide terms into component parts. Medical words are very much like individual jigsaw puzzles. They are constructed of small pieces that make each word unique, but the pieces can be used in different combinations in other words as well. As you become familiar with word parts and learn what each means, you will be able to recognize those word parts in totally new combinations in other terms.
  2. Relate the medical terms to the structure and function of the human body. Although memorization of terms is essential to retaining knowledge of the language, it should not become the primary objective of your study. A major focus of this course is to explain terms in the context of how the body works in health and disease. Medical terms explained in their proper context will also be easier to remember. An example of this is the word hepatitis: -itis means INFLAMMATION, and hepato- means LIVER. This word is better understood when you know where the liver is and how it functions. Explanations in the text are straightforward and basic.
  3. Be aware of spelling and pronunciation problems. Some medical terms are pronounced alike but are spelled differently. For example, ilium and ileum have identical pronunciations, but the first term, ilium, means a part of the pelvis (HIP BONE), and the second term, ileum, means a PART OF THE SMALL INTESTINE. Even when terms are spelled correctly, terms can be misunderstood because of incorrect pronunciation. For example, the urethra is the tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body, and ureter is one of the two tubes each leading from a single kidney and inserting into the urinary bladder.

Word Analysis

When you are studying medical terminology think of it as studying a new language. The words at first look very complicated and may sound very strange, but, in reality, these medical words stand for commonly known English terms. For example, the word ophthalmologist means EYE DOCTOR, parturition means GIVING BIRTH, and hysterosalpingoophorectomy means removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, or, a TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY.

The first job when learning the language of medicine is to understand how to divide words into their component parts. The medical language has a logical sequence. Most terms, whether they are complex or simple, can be broken down into basic parts and then understood.

For example: hematology—hemat/o/logy.

  • hemat-: is the root, or, the foundation of the word. All medical terms have one or more roots. The root hemat means BLOOD.
  •  /-o-/ is the combining vowel (usually an “o”); the combining vowel usually links the root to the suffix, or the root to another root. A combining vowel has no meaning of its own; it only joins one word part to another.
  • -logy: is the word ending, or, suffix. All medical terms have a suffix. The suffix -logy means STUDY OF.

When reading medical words, start from the suffix back to the beginning of the term. Therefore, the word hematology means the STUDY OF BLOOD.

When defining longer words that look impossible to figure out at first, break the word into its component parts and start by defining the suffix. Let’s look at the word gastroduodenoscopy.

Start by defining the suffix:

  • -scopy means the PROCESS OF VISUAL EXAMINATION.
  • gastr/o is the combining form for STOMACH.
  • duoden/o is the combing form for the DUODENUM, or, the first part of the small intestine.

So, gastroduodenoscopy means the visual examination of the stomach and the duodenum, or, the first part of the small intestine.

Study Hints

  1. Complete all assigned readings.
  2. Set a Schedule: Allow for completion of the course one month prior to your desired deadline.
  3. Flash cards: Utilize the flash cards obtained with your text (or make your own) and keep them with you in your pocket or purse to study when you have down time or are waiting. Be sure you include clues on pronunciation.
  4. Time Management: Plan in advance to study Medical Terminology EVERY DAY. Most students report that they study between 6 and 10 hours a week for this course. A last-minute cram session will not help you commit the words to memory.
    • TERMOCRAM (term/o/cram): The foolish practice of attempting to study information two hours before the exam and expecting to get 100%.
  5. Pronunciation: Pronounce the words out loud while you are studying. This allows you to focus on each syllable and assists in spelling as well as prepares you to speak the language of medicine when on the job.
  6. Medical Dictionary: Use your medical dictionary to enrich your vocabulary and for greater understanding of the meanings and use of medical terms. Look up each new word or word part. See what language it comes from and how it is pronounced. Look further down or up on the list and see how else this word or word part is used other than the examples in your textbook.
  7. Audio CDs: Listen to the prepared audio CDs that accompany your text. This helps with pronunciation.
  8. Seek Counsel: If you are having difficulties, consult your professor as soon as possible. 

Helpful Hints: Using Your Textbook

Please read and fill out every activity in the textbook. Use the chapter answers to increase your feedback on the assignments.

Useful Web Sites

You may find many Web sites helpful during the course of this class. The following are a general list of some I have found. After you reach the site, simply input the term you want to explore, and search.

NOTE:

Web pages and URL links in the World Wide Web are subject to change. If you cannot access a link that has been listed in this course, use your favorite search engine (such as Google) to locate the site. To seek assistance or provide any updated information, contact your instructor.

Email Standards

Place questions or comments for the instructor in the body of the email.

In the email's subject line include:

  • Your name, V number, course subject and number, and assignment number(s).
    • Example: Joe Vandal, V01234567, BUS L321, Assignments 1, 2

Grade Information

The course grade will be based upon the following considerations:

Exams Points

Possible Points for Each Exam
Exam Number Points Possible
Exam 1 (Chapters 1–2) 37
Exam 2 (Chapters 3–6) 101
Exam 3 (Chapters 7–10) 111
Exam 4 (Chapters 11–14) 89
Exam 5 (Chapters 15–16) 39
Exam 6 (Chapters 17–19) 45
Total 422

 

Grades

  • A 90% – 100%
  • B 80% – 89%
  • C 70% – 79%
  • D 60% – 69%
  • F 59% – 0%

Self-Study Lessons

All 19 lessons in this course guide are self-study. Exercises are not to be submitted for grading. The course grade is determined solely through the points and percentages of the six exams, listed above.

The final course grade is issued after all exams have been graded.

Acts of academic dishonesty, including cheating or plagiarism are considered a very serious transgression and may result in a grade of F for the course.

Course Policies

Refer to the ISI Policies for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services.