Midtermtopics

• Terms that end in "a"


  For plural, add an "e"
• Terms that end in "a"

  • vertebra (singular)
  • vertebrae (plural)
• Terms that end in "is"


  For plural, change it to "es"
• Terms that end in "is"

  • diagnosis (singular)
  • diagnoses (plural)
• Terms that end in "ex" or "ix"


  For plural, replace with "ices"
• Terms that end in "ex" or "ix"


  • cervix (singular)
  • cervices (plural)
• Terms that end in "on"


  For plural, replace it with "a"
• Terms that end in "on"

  • criterion (singular)
  • criteria (plural)
• Terms that end in "um"

  For plural, replace it with "a"
• Terms that end in "um"

  • bacterium (singular)
  • bacteria (plural)
• Terms that end in "us"

  For plural, replace it with "i"
• Terms that end in "us"


  • bronchus (singular)
  • bronchi (plural)
• Terms that end in "-ma"


  Keep the -ma and add -ta for plural
• Terms that end in "-ma"

  • Sarcoma (singular)
  • Sarcomata (plural)
• Terms that end in "nx"

  For plural, replace it with "nges"
• Terms that end in "nx"

  • phalanx (singular)
  • phalanges (plural)
• Terms that end in "y"

  For plural, replace it with "ies"
• Terms that end in "y"


  • therapy (singular)
  • therapies (plural)
• Terms that end in "x"


  For plural, replace it with "ces"
• Terms that end in "x"

  • thorax (singular)
  • thoraces (plural)
• Medical abbreviations and symbols are a "short hand" for medical professionals
• Most medical abbreviations and symbols have been standardized and are universally accepted
• Common medical abbreviations and symbols

  • a.c. - before a meal
  • b.i.d - twice a day
  • T.d.s - Three Times a day
  • BM - bowel movement
  • BP- blood pressure
  • q.d.s- Four Times a day
  • CDC- Centers for Disease Control
  • p.r.n. As needed
  • q.d. Daily, once a day
  • q.h. Every hour
  • q.i.d.Four times a day
  • R respiration
  • RR respiration rate
  • CA Cancer
  • stat. immediately
• Medical abbreviations and symbols

  • Ac - Before meals (ante cibum)
  • Ad lib - Ad libetum as desired
  • am, A.M. - Ante meridiem (morning)
  • Bid - Bis in die, twice a day
  • caps - capsules
  • . gtts - Drop, drops
  • I&O - Intake and output
  • IABP - Intra-aortic balloon pump
  • ID - Intradermal, identification
  • IM - Intramuscular
  • inf - Infusion
  • instill - Instillation
  • IU - International units
  • IUD - Intrauterine device
  • IV - Intravenous
  • pc - After meals (post cibum)
  • pm, P.M. - Post meridiem (after noon)
  • PO, po - Postoperative, by mouth (per os)
  • prn - Pro renata, as needed or required
  • sc, subcu, sq, - Subcutaneous
  • tab - tablet(s)
  • tid - Ter in die, three times a day
  • † - Death
  • Male
• Medical symbols


  • > greater than
  • < less than
  • ↓ decreased, down, lower
  • ↑ increased, higher, up, elevate
  • decreasing
  • increasing
  • # pound or number in orthopaedic means fracture bone
  • ′foot or minute
  • ″inch or second
  • • degree
  • • male
  • • female
  • • ∆ change, trimester