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MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY BSC109

  • Duration (approx) 100 hours
  • Qualification Statement of Attainment

Course Description

Medical Terminology

Develop the knowledge and confidence to understand and use medical terminology effectively in professional healthcare environments.

This online Medical Terminology course introduces the language used across medicine and healthcare, helping you communicate more clearly with doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Learn how medical terms are constructed, interpreted and applied in real-world healthcare contexts.

Designed for both aspiring healthcare professionals and non-clinical staff, this course provides essential knowledge for anyone who works with medical information, supports patients or communicates with healthcare teams. It is ideal as a career foundation, professional refresher, workplace training resource or preparation for further study.

This course is suitable for:

  • Students preparing for careers in medicine or health sciences
  • Medical receptionists and administrative staff
  • Medical secretaries and healthcare support workers
  • Nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals
  • Care workers and community support staff
  • Writers, journalists and professionals working with health information

COURSE CONTENT

There are 10 lessons as follows:

Lesson 1. Scope and Nature of Medical Terminology

  • What is Medical Terminology.
  • Origins of Words.
  • Structure of Words.
  • Medical Prefixes.
  • Medical Suffixes.
  • Constructing Medical Terms by altering prefix or suffix.

Lesson 2. Anatomical Structure

  • Anatomical Prefixes.
  • Anatomical Suffixes.
  • Locating parts of the body.
  • Terms to indicate positioning of anatomical features in body.
  • Acronyms.
  • Symbols.

Lesson 3. Medical Equipment and Procedures

  • Terms to describe Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures.
  • Terms to describe Medical Equipment.
  • Storage and Handling of Medicines.
  • Sterilising Equipment.
  • Terms to describe Bacteria.
  • Gram Staining.
  • Diagnostic Microbiology.
  • Research Microbiology.
  • Types of Wounds.
  • Problems Resulting from Wounds.
  • Treating Wounds.
  • Electrolytes.
  • Examples of Prefixes and Suffixes.

Lesson 4. Pharmacological Terminology

  • Types of herbal and pharmaceutical medicines (e.g. Alkaloids, Calmatives, Cathartics, Decongestants, Expectorants, etc.).
  • Pharmacological Terms (e.g. Allergens, Carcinogens, Photosensitisers, Toxic Alkaloids, etc.).
  • Over the Counter Prescription Drugs.
  • Terminology for OTC and Prescription Drugs (e.g.. Steroids, Barbiturates, anti-Psychotic Drugs etc.).
  • Prefix and suffix examples.

Lesson 5. Musculoskeletal System Terminology

  • Naming main muscles.
  • Musculature ... Types of Muscle tissue.
  • Relationship between muscles and bone.
  • Bone and Joint problems (e.g.. Sprains, Broken Bones, etc.).
  • Disorders of musculoskeletal System (e.g.. Fibromyalgia, Sprains, strains, Cramp, etc)..
  • Suffix Examples.

Lesson 6. Cardiovascular, Lymphatic and Immune Systems Terminology

  • Parts of the Heart.
  • Circulation.
  • Systole and Disystole.
  • Terms related to Disorders of Cardiovascular System.
  • Lymphatic System and Immunity.
  • Leucocytes.
  • Vaccination.
  • Immunity.
  • Disorders of Immunity.
  • Suffix and Prefix Examples.

Lesson 7. Respiratory and Reproductive Systems Terminology

  • Lungs.
  • Respiration.
  • Pulmonary Circulation.
  • Gas Exchange (Diffusion, Perfusion, Arterial Pressure).
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
  • Diagnostic Procedures for Lungs and Airways.
  • Respiratory Disorders.
  • Male Reproductive System (Penis, Testes, Scrotum etc.).
  • Female Reproductive System.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Parturation.
  • Caesarian Section, VBAC and Multiple Gestation.
  • Premature Birth and Miscarriage.
  • Reproductive Disorders (e.g. Amenorrhoea, Menorhagia, PCOS, Endometriosis, etc.).
  • Suffix and Prefix Examples.

Lesson 8. Digestive and Excretory Systems Terminology

  • Parts of the Digestive System.
  • Renal System.
  • Kidneys.
  • Ureters and Bladder.
  • Urethra.
  • Disorders of Digestive and Renal Systems (e.g.. Anal Fissure, Haemorrhoids, Inflammatory Bowel System, Kidney Stones, Pancreatitis, etc.).
  • Suffix and Prefix Examples.

Lesson 9. Integumentary System (Skin) Terminology

  • Thermoregulation.
  • Electrolytes.
  • Types of Sensory Nerves.
  • Sun Protection.
  • Intergument Structure.
  • Cell Types.
  • Disorders (e.g. Scab, Atrophic skin, Abrasion, Excoriation, Scar, Ulcer, etc.).
  • Diagnostic Procedures.
  • Suffix and Prefix Examples.

Lesson 10. Nervous and Sensory Systems Terminology

  • Brain.
  • Central Nervous System.
  • Peripheral Nervous System.
  • Disorders of Nervous System.
  • Disorders of Sensory System (e.g. Aphasia, Apraxia, Vertigo, etc.).
  • Diagnostic Procedures.
  • Suffix and Prefix Examples.

 

AIMS

On completion of this Medical Terminology course, learners will be able to:

  • Explain the scope, structure and use of terminology in medicine and allied health professions.
  • Interpret medical terms by understanding common prefixes, suffixes and root words used to describe anatomy, conditions and disorders.
  • Identify terminology associated with medical equipment, procedures and pharmacological concepts.
  • Apply knowledge of medical language across major body systems, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, reproductive, digestive, excretory, integumentary, nervous and sensory systems.
  • Recognise and interpret terms describing normal physiological functions and common disorders affecting the human body.
  • Communicate more confidently and accurately with healthcare professionals using appropriate medical terminology.

 

IF YOU WANT TO WORK EFFECTIVELY IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS - YOU NEED TO KNOW THE LANGUAGE

Consider the following medical notes. How much of this do you clearly and thoroughly understand?

Sample History and Physical Note Taking

Note for John Doe on 4/18/02 - Chart 1124

Chief Complaint: This 26 year old male presents today for treatment of suspected rheumatoid arthritis. Associated signs and symptoms include aching, joint pain, and symmetrical joint swelling bilateral. Patient denies any previous history, related trauma or previous treatments for this condition. Condition has existed for 2 weeks. He indicates the problem location is the right hand and left hand. Patient indicates no modifying factors. Severity of condition is slowly worsening.  Onset was unknown.

Allergies: Patient reports allergies to aspirin resulting in GI upset, disorientation.

Medication History: Patient is currently taking amoxicillin-clavulanate 125 mg-31.25 mg tablet, prescribed by A. General Practitioner MD, Adrenocot 0.5 mg tablet medication was prescribed by A. General Practitioner MD.

Past Medical History: Past medical history is unremarkable.

Past Surgical History: Patient reports past surgical history of (+) appendectomy in 1989.
Family History: Patient reports a family history of rheumatoid arthritis associated with maternal grandmother.

Social History: Patient consumes 2-3 standard drinks a week. Patient denies illegal drug use. Patient denies STD history. Patient denies tobacco use.

Review of Systems: Neurological: (-) paralysis Musculoskeletal: (+) joint pain (+) joint swelling (+) stiffness Cardiovascular: (-) oedema, Neurological: (-) numbness
Musculoskeletal: (-) back pain (-) decreased ROM (-) episodic weakness
Cardiovascular: (-) chest pressure Respiratory: (-) breathing difficulties, respiratory symptoms (-) sleep apnoea.

Physical Exam: BP Standing: 120/84 HR: 79 Temp: 98.6 Height: 5 ft. 8 in. Weight: 168 lbs.

Patient is a 26 year old male who appears pleasant, in no apparent distress, his given age, well developed, well nourished and with good attention to hygiene and body habits.
Skin: No skin rash, subcutaneous nodules, lesions or ulcers observed. Palpation of skin shows no abnormalities.

HEENT: Inspection of head and face shows no abnormalities. Hair growth and distribution is normal. Examination of scalp shows no abnormalities. Conjunctiva and lids reveal no signs or symptoms of infection. Pupil exam reveals round and reactive pupils without afferent papillary defect. Ocular motility exam reveals gross orthotropia with full ductions and versions bilateral.

Bilateral retinas reveal normal colour, contour, and cupping. Inspection of ears reveals no abnormalities. Otoscopic examination reveals no abnormalities. Examination of oropharynx reveals no abnormalities and tissues pink and moist.

ENT: Inspection of ears reveals no abnormalities. Examination of larynx reveals no abnormalities. Inspection of nose reveals no abnormalities.

Neck: Neck exam reveals neck supple and trachea that is midline, without adenopathy or Crepitance palpable. Thyroid examination reveals no abnormalities and smooth and symmetric gland with no enlargement, tenderness or masses noted.

Lymphatic: Neck lymph nodes are normal.

Respiratory: Assessment of respiratory effort reveals even respirations without use of accessory muscles and no intercostal retractions noted. Chest inspection reveals chest configuration non-hyper-inflated and symmetric expansion. Auscultation of lungs reveals clear lung fields and no rubs noted.

Cardiovascular: Heart auscultation reveals normal S1 and S2 and no murmurs, gallop, rubs or clicks. Examination of peripheral vascular system reveals full to palpation, varicosities absent, extremities warm to touch and no oedema.


CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Study alone can never guarantee career success; but a good education and understanding the language of medicine is an excellent starting point.

Success in a career depends upon many things. A course like this is an excellent starting point because it provides a foundation for continued learning, and proof of your commitment to learn.

Start studying today and put that commitment into practice. 

WHAT NEXT?

Register to Study - Go to “It’s Easy to Enrol” box at the top of the page and you can enrol now.

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Meet some of our academics

Tracey Jones (writing)Tracey has enjoyed creative writing since she was a child. She has had several short stories published and a novella. She is also a keen writer of children's stories and poetry. She has also written many academic and non-fiction books in the fields of psychology, sociology, child development, writing and marketing.

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