Medical Language and Terminology Self-Study Course
Each profession has its own unique language and terminology. Health care is no different! Nurses need to know established medical terminology in order to provide safe, effective and efficient nursing care.
The purpose of this self-study course is to provide Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with many opportunities to refresh their knowledge about the most common terms, concepts and vocabulary used in their profession. This modules will be of interest to any nurse – foreign educated, newly graduated or experienced. Importantly, communication, medical language comprehension and accuracy are all essential professional skills for Licensed Practical Nurses and every member of the healthcare team.
The course consists of a series of 10 modules that are designed to help nurses achieve a fuller comprehension of career-specific language. To attain the most benefit it is recommended that the course is completed module by module. The audiophile components of the course provide an opportunity to work on pronunciation and communication skills.
The design of the course includes:
Quick Links: Supplementary Quizzes/Games | Other Resources | Final Exam
Course Modules and Exercises
Module 1: The Language of Health and Wellness in Canada
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in the health care system in Canada.
- Audio Exercise 1.1: Health and Wellness – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 1.2: Health & Allied Health Professionals – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 1.3: Health Profession Regulation in Canada – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 2: Foundations of Medical Terminology
- Interactive presentation – Learn the Latin and Greek word roots that form the foundation of modern English medical terminology.
- Audio Exercise 2.1: Medical Root Words – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 2.2: Common Medical Prefixes – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 2.3: Common Medical Suffixes – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 3: The Language of Musculoskeletal and Respiratory Health
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and respiratory health problems and issues.
- Audio Exercise 3.1: Musculoskeletal Health – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 3.2: Respiratory Health – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 4: The Language of Heart Health
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in diagnosing and providing health care to the heart and cardiovascular system.
- Audio Exercise 4.1:Cardiovascular System Health – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 4.2: Heart Health – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 5: The Language of Nutrition and Elimination
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in diagnosing and providing nutrition and elimination health care.
- Audio Exercise 5.1: Nutrition – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 5.2: Elimination – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 6: Matters of the Brain: The Neurological System and the Brain
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in providing nursing and medical care to clients / residents with neurological and brain health problems.
- Audio Exercise 6.1: Neurological System – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 6.2: The Brain – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 7: Matters of the Mind: Mental Health and Substance Use
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in mental health care, and in preventing and treating substance use.
- Audio Exercise 7.1: Mind and Mental Health – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 7.2: Substance Abuse – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 8: The Language of Pain: Integumentary and Immune System
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts associated with the diagnosis and management of pain as related to the integumentary and immune system.
- Audio Exercise 8.1: Integumentary System – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 8.2: Immune System – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 9: The Language of Pharmacology and Medications
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in pharmacology and medications administration.
- Audio Exercise 9.1: Pharmacology – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 9.2: Medications – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Module 10: The Language of Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
- Interactive presentation – Learn the key terms and concepts used in activities of daily living.
- Audio Exercise 10.1: Activities of Daily Living – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 10.2: Autonomy and Choice – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Audio Exercise 10.3: Culture-Based Care – Learn these key terms by listening and speaking.
- Knowledge check – A short quiz to allow you to self-assess how well you learned the terms presented in this module.
Final Examination – This final exam consists of 65 randomly selected questions from a pool of 150 items. A printable CLPNA Certificate of Completion is available upon passing this exam with a score of 80% or better. If you are an Alberta LPN, please enter your Registration Number when requested. Everyone else, leave in the default number. If you want a copy of the Final Exam Results e-mailed to yourself (or anyone else), enter the appropriate e-mail address. Otherwise, leave it blank. (Results are ONLY e-mailed if you have passed the exam).
Medical Language and Terminology Module Evaluation – Please complete this online survey after finishing this Module. Your feedback and comments will greatly assist CLPNA in developing and delivering effective, quality nursing educational resources.
Here are some related additional interactive exercises if you want more practice of medical language and terminology.
Foundations of Medical Terminology
Medical Terms I – This quiz is designed to assess and refresh your knowledge of common medical words and terminology. (25 questions randomly selected from 65 items).
Medical Terms II – Another quiz designed to assess and refresh your knowledge of common medical words, vocabulary and terminology. (25 questions randomly selected from 65 items).
Body Structure Terms – This quiz tests and reviews your knowledge with the terms associated with the levels of organization of the human body. (25 questions randomly selected from 50 items).
Word Roots – This quiz assesses your knowledge of the Latin and Greek words used as suffixes and prefixes in many of today's medical terms. (25 questions randomly selected from 76 items).
Word Roots – A drop and drag game about the Latin and Greek words used as suffixes and prefixes in many of today's medical terms. (15 questions randomly selected from 115 items).
Musculoskeletal and Respiratory HealthMusculoskeletal System Terms– This quiz tests and refreshes your knowledge about the terminology associated with the primary structure and functions of the musculoskeletal system, and related diseases, disorders and treatments. (25 questions randomly selected from 50 items).
Respiratory System Terms – This quiz tests and refreshes your knowledge about the terms associated with the primary structures and functions of the respiratory system, and related disorders, diseases and treatments. (25 questions randomly selected from 55 items).
Respiratory System – Test and review your knowledge about the lungs and the respiratory system – its components and functions. (25 questions from 65).
Breathing Terms – A word-guess game to test your knowledge about the terms and vocabulary associated with the breathing sounds and respiration. (15 questions).
Heart HealthCardiovascular System Terms – Test, review and refresh your knowledge of the medical terms and vocabulary associated with the five structures of the cardiovascular system, its primary functions, and the common treatments for cardiovascular diseases and disorders. (25 questions randomly selected from 55 items).
Cardiovascular System – Test and refresh your knowledge about the heart and the cardiovascular system - its components and functions. (25 questions from 120).
Nutrition and EliminationNutritional Disorders – Assess and review your knowledge of the deficiencies / excesses of nutrition (vitamins, minerals, etc.) on health. (25 questions from 93).
Digestive System Terms – Assess and refresh your knowledge of the terminology associated with the primary structures and functions of the digestive system, as well as terms related to medical treatments for digestive diseases and disorders. (25 questions randomly selected from 46 items).
Urinary System Terms – Assess and review your knowledge about the terminology associated with the primary structures and functions of the urinary system, along with common diseases, disorders and treatments for urinary problems. (25 questions randomly selected from 45 items).
Urinary System – Test and review your knowledge of the urinary system – the kidney and bladder and their roles and functions. (25 questions from 75).
Neurological System and the BrainNervous System Terms – This quiz tests and refreshes your knowledge about the terms associated with the primary structures and functions of the nervous system, neurological diseases, disorders and treatments. (25 questions randomly selected from 40 items).
Nervous System – Test and refresh your knowledge of the nervous system – the brain, cranial nerves and spinal cord and their roles and functions. (25 questions from 106).
Brain Terms – Take this word-guess game to see how well you know the terms and concepts relating to the brain, its components and functions. (15 questions).
Mental Health and Substance UseMental Health – Review and test your knowledge about mental health diseases and disorders, e.g., anxiety, panic disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia / bulimia nervosa and delirium. (25 questions from 70).
Substance Abuse – Test and review your knowledge of abuse and addictions to street / recreational drugs and substances and their symptoms and consequences on health. (25 questions from 60).
Drug Abuse Terms – A word-guess game to see how well you know the medical terms and words used to describe the causes, symptoms and consequences of drug abuse. (15 items selected from 50 questions).
Integumentary and Immune SystemIntegumentary System Terms – Test, review and refresh your knowledge about the medical terms associated with the three primary functions of the skin, the two layers and the three accessory organs of the skin, the three underlying structures, and the medical treatments for skin diseases and disorders. (25 questions randomly selected from 70 items).
Immune System Terms – This quiz tests and assesses your knowledge about the terminology associated with the main components and functions of the blood, the five lymphatic structures and their functions, the immune response, and related diseases and treatments. (25 questions randomly selected from 45 items).
Dermatitis Terms – Take this word-guess game to see how well you know the medical terms used to describe different skin lesions and conditions. (15 items).
Pharmacology and MedicationsPharmacology Terms – This quiz tests your knowledge of the basic terminology, definitions and concepts used in pharmacology. (25 questions selected from 112 items).
e-Glossary of Drugs App – A multi-media app consisting of the most commonly used Canadian generic-name drugs and their indications, classifications, recommended daily doses and links to more information. Audio pronunciation of each drug is included.
Links to online medical dictionaries
Apps
Credits and Acknowledgements
Melodie Hull, RPN, MSc, MEd is the author and narrator for this CLPNA's Medical Language and Terminology course. She is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Nurse-Educator. In her years of nursing practice and then as an educator, she has worked with nurses and student nurses in Practical Nursing (LPN), Psychiatric Nursing (RPN), and Registered Nursing (RN). Melodie specializes in education related to medical and nursing language. She is the author of a number of books and journal articles and is internationally recognized for her work. In addition to nursing, she holds a graduate degree in Teaching English for Specific Purposes. Melodie's most recent book, Medical Language: terminology in context is available on-line through major booksellers around the world.
* The Practice Quizzes and Final Exam can be completed on regular browsers, tablets and smart phones. For iPhones and iPads, download and install the FREE iSpring viewer from the iTunes Store. For Android devices, iSpring Play is available here. The quizzes can also be downloaded and saved on your mobile device and completed off-line at your convenience.
** The presentations, audiophiles and drag & drop games can be played on regular browsers, tablets and mobile phones. For best viewing on Apple's devices, download and install the FREE Articulate Player App from the iTunes Store. If you are using an Android device, download and install the FREE Android Player App from Google Play. With this apps, all components can be downloaded to your mobile device for off-line use.
The wordguess games are HTML5 and can be viewed in any browser, tablet or smart phone. No player apps are necessary. To view and download the PDF/PRINT documents requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you are using these quizzes / games / final exam for class assignments or continuing education credits, and want a copy of the Results for your records, enter your name when requested. Otherwise, use Guest and proceed with the quiz / game / exam.