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April 11, 2011

Welcome to the School of Nursing at the Johns Hopkins University!
As a faculty who coordinates one of your first semester courses I am making available to you some helpful and
useful information. I have included it below for your reading pleasure! There are two documents: the
B.U.R.P.S. list (Building and Understanding Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes) and Talk like a Nurse handout.
These documents list many of the medical terms used in your first semester classes and I believe will ease your
transition into a new way of speaking. I look forward to seeing you soon! Kate Lears, Course Coordinator

THE B.U.R.P.S LIST

Purpose: To become proficient in Building and Understanding Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes
Rationale: Building and understanding medical terminology is simpler when the words are broken down into
roots, prefixes and suffixes.
Steps:
Review the B.U.R.P.S. tables and try to determine the definitions of the examples
Notice the overlap among the three groups of roots, prefixes and suffixes
Make new words by changing one part of the word. For example, if an appendectomy is the removal
of the appendix, then a nephrectomy is the removal of a kidney. Tachycardia is a fast heart rate and
tachypnea is a fast respiration rate.
Log onto http://ec.hku.hk for other interactive exercises in medical terminology
Helpful Note: R/T means related to

TALK LIKE A NURSE

Purpose: To become familiar with acronyms commonly used by health care providers
Rationale: Different professions have unique languages; medicine and nursing are no exceptions. The
acronyms below are used in verbal and written communication in health care settings.
Steps:
Review the attached list of acronyms (then you can start to critique shows like House and Grays
Anatomy for accuracy!)
Notice that some acronyms have two different meanings; e.g., ROM stands for range of motion and
rupture of membranes - be careful when using abbreviations
Go to www.pharma-lexicon.com and check out the search engines for other acronyms and medical
terminology
NOTE: All institutions have a list of accepted and do not use abbreviations. Always check with the institution
before using an abbreviation.

THE B.U.R.P.S LIST

I. Roots
R/T Body Parts
Root
Angi(o), Vas(o)
Brachi(o)
Bucc(o)
Cardi(o)
Carp(o)
Cephal(o)
Colp(o)
Crani(o)
Cyst(o)
Cyto
Dactyl(o)
Encephal(o)
Enter(o)
Gloss(o)
Hemo, sanguin(o)
Hyster(o)
Mast(o), mamm(o)
Men(o)
Nephr(o), Ren(o)
Oophor(o)
Ophthalm, Ocul(o)
Ot(o), Auri, Aud
Phleb(o), Ven(o)
Pod
Rhin(o)
Salping(o)
Thorac(o)
Thromb(o)

Meaning
Blood vessel
Arm
Cheek
Heart
Wrist
Head
Vagina
Skull
Bladder
Cell
Finger, toe
Brain
Intestine
Tongue
Blood
Womb, uterus
Breast
Month, r/t menses
Kidney
Ovary
Eye
Ear
Vein
Foot
Nose
Fallopian tube
Chest
Clot

Other Roots
Root
Gluc(o)
Hydr(o)
Lact(o)
Lip(o), adip(o)
Therm

Meaning
Sweet, sugar
Water
Milk
Fat
Heat

Example(s)
Angioplasty, vasoconstriction
Brachial
Buccal
Cardiopathy
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cephalic
Colposcopy
Craniotomy
Cystoscopy, cystitis
Cytology, cytomegaly
Polydactyly
Encephalitis
Enteritis
Glossitis, glossopharyngeal
Hemolytic, serosanguinous
Hysterectomy
Mastitis, mammography
Menopause, menarche, dysmenorrheal
Nephrectomy, renal
Oopherectomy
Ophthalmoscope, ocular
Otitis, auricle, audiometer
Phlebitis, venous
Podiatrist
Rhinoplasty, rhinorrhea
Salpingectomy, salpingitis
Thoracotomy, thoracic
Thrombosis, thrombolytic

Example(s)
Glucose, glucometer
Hydrocephalus, hydrophobia
Lactosuria, lactating
Lipoma, adipose
Hyperthermia

II. Prefixes
R/T Colors
Prefix
Erythr(o)
Leuk(o), leuc(o)
Cyan(o)
Melan(o)
Cirrh(o)

Meaning
Red
White
Blue
Black
Yellow

Example(s)
Erythema, erythrocyte
Leukocytes, leukemia
Cyanosis
Melanin
Cirrhosis

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R/T Descriptions
Prefix
Ankyl(o)
Sten(o), Stric
Ortho
Kypho
Pseudo

R/T Measurements
Prefix
Macro
Micro
Poly, Hyper, Multi
Brady
Tachy
Oligo, Hypo
Iso
Diplo, Ambi
Hemi
Pan

R/T Positions
Prefix
Pro, Ante, Pre
Post
Super, supra
Sub
Dors(o)
Retro
Para
Re
Later(o)
Medi(o)
Schizo
Inter
Heter(o)
Hom(o)
Ad(o)
Ab(o)
Anti, Contra
Endo, In, Intra
Ex(o), Ec(to)
Epi
Dia, Trans
Peri, Circum
Sinister(a)
Dextr(o)

Meaning
Stiff, fixed, crooked
Narrow
Straight position
Bent, crooked
False

Meaning
Large
Small
Many, much
Slow
Fast
Few
Equal
Both, double
Half
All

Meaning
Before
After
Above
Below
Back
Backwards
Beside
Again
Side
Middle
Split
Between
Different
Same
Towards
Away from
Against
In, within, inside
Out
Upon, above
Through
Around
Left
Right

Example(s)
Ankylosis
Stenosis, stricture
Orthopnea, orthopedic
Kyphoscoliosis, kyphosis
Pseudostrabismus, pseudoaneurysm

Example(s)
Macrophage, macrocephaly
Microscopic, microorganism
Polydypsia, hyperthyroidism, multiple
Bradypnea
Tachycardia
Oliguria, hypothermia
Isometric, isotonic
Diplopia, ambidextrous
Hemiplegia, hemisphere
Pansystolic, pancytopenia

Example(s)
Prodromal, antepartum, precapillary
Postnatal, posterior
Superior, supraclavicular
Submandibular, subcutaneous
Dorsoflexion, dorsal
Retrograde, retrosternal
Paramedic, paranasal
Rehydrate, recuperate
Lateral
Medial, mediastinum
Schizophrenia
Intercostals, interdigital
Heterogeneous
Homozygous
Adduction, adhesion, adrenal
Abduction, abnormal
Antigen, contraception
Endocarditis, inhale, intrapartum
Exhale, ectopic
Epidermis, epigastric, epiglottis
Diameter, transfusion
Perinatal, circumcision
OS (oculus sinister left eye)
OD (oculus dexter right eye)

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R/T the Body
Prefix
Aden(o)
Arthr(o)
Cervic(o)
Costo
Cyto
Derm
Gastr(o)
Glosso
Heme
Hepat(o)
Lingu
Litho
My
Myo, myel
Neuro
Oto
Opti, Ocu
Osteo
Pneum(o), Pulm
Psycho
Rhino
Thor(a)
Vasc

Other Prefixes
Prefix
A(n)
Auto
Dys
Gravida
Neo

III. Suffixes
R/T Surgery
Suffix
Centesis
Ectomy
Lysis
Ostomy
Otomy
Plasty

R/T Diseases
Suffix
Algia
Cele
Emia
Gen
Itis

Meaning
Gland
Joint
Neck
Rib
Cell
Skin
Stomach
Tongue
Blood
Liver
Tongue
Stone
Muscle
Marrow
Nerve
Ear
Eye
Bone
Lung
Mind
Nose
Chest
Vessel

Example(s)
Adenoma, adenoids
Arthritis, arthroscopy
Cervical, cervicitis
Costochondritis, costovertebral
Cytology, cytomegaly
Dermatitis, dermatological
Gastritis, gastrointestinal
Glossopharyngeal, glossitis
Hematuria, hematemesis, hemangioma
Hepatitis, hepatocellular
Lingual, linguistic
Lithotomy, lithotripsy
Myoma, myalgia
Myelitis
Neuromyalgia
Otitis, otolaryngology
Optician, ocular
Osteoarthritis, osteopenia
Pneumothorax, pulmonary
Psychology, psychopath, psychosomatic
Rhinorrhea, rhinitis
Thoracic, thoracentesis
Vasculitis

Meaning
Without
Self
Difficult, painful
Pregnant, heavy
New

Meaning
Tap, puncture
Removal
Separate, destroy
Form an opening
Cut into
Repair

Meaning
Pain
Hernia, swelling
Blood
Producing
Inflammation

Example(s)
Anemia, avascular
Autoimmune
Dyspnea, dysuria
Gravidity
Neonatal, neoplasm

Example(s)
Thoracentesis
Mastectomy, appendectomy
Hemolysis
Colostomy
Tracheotomy, craniotomy
Rhinoplasty

Example(s)
Arthralgia, myalgia
Hydrocele, cystocele
Leukemia, anemia
Carcinogen, allergen
Appendicitis, hepatitis

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Megaly
Oid
Oma
Osis
Pathy
Penia
Phagia
Phasia
Plegia
Phobia
Pnea
Rrhage
Rrhea
Sclerosis
Spasm
Troph(o)
Uri(a)

Enlargement
Resemble
Tumor
Abnormal condition
Disease
Deficiency
Eating
Speech
Paralysis
Fear
Air, breathing
Burst forth
Flow, discharge
Hardening
Contraction
Nourishment
Urine

Other Suffixes
Suffix
Gram
Ology
Phon(o)
Scope

Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly
Fibroid, keloid
Adenoma, myoma
Dermatosis
Neuropathy, psychopathology
Cytopenia, thrombocytopenia
Dysphagia
Aphasia, dysphasia
Paraplegia, quadriplegia
Acrophobia, agoraphobia
Apnea, dyspnea, orthopnea
Hemorrhage
Diarrhea
Atherosclerosis
Bronchospasm
Atrophy, hypertrophy
Nocturia, dysuria

Meaning

Example(s)

Picture, record
Study of
Sound
Inspect

Electrocardiogram
Pathology, dermatology
Egophony, bronchophony
Microscope, laproscopic

TALK LIKE A NURSE

A-P

anterior-posterior

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

ASA

acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)

BX

biopsy

A&W

alive & well

with (cum)

bid

2x/day (bis in dies)

CA

cancer

BKA

below-the-knee amputation (AKA-above)

CABG coronary artery bypass graft

BM

bowel movement

CAD

coronary artery disease

BMI

body mass index

CAGE

cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye opener

BMR

basal metabolic rate

CAM

complementary alternative medicine

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy

CBC

complete blood count

BR

bed rest

CBE

clinical breast exam

BRP

bathroom privileges

CC

chief complaint

BS

bowel sounds

cc

cubic centimeter

BSE

breast self-examination

CHF

congestive heart failure

BSO

bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

cm

centimeter

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CN

cranial nerve

ETOH ethanol (alcohol)

CNS

central nervous system

FB

foreign body

C/O

complains of

FBS

fasting blood sugar

Copd

chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease

FUO

fever of unknown origin

C&S

culture & sensitivity

FX

fracture

Csf

cerebrospinal fluid

GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease

Ct

computed(computerized) tomography

GI

gastrointestinal

Cta

clear to auscultation

GU

genitourinary

Cts

carpal tunnel syndrome

H&P

history and physical

Cva

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

HA

headache

Cxr

chest x-ray

HBP

high blood pressure

D/C

Discharge, Discontinue

Hct

hematocrit

D & C dilatation and curettage

HEENT head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

DFA

difficulty falling asleep

hgb

hemoglobin

DJD

degenerative joint disease

Hib

hemophilus influenza B

DM

diabetes mellitus

h/o

history of (or Hx)

DNR

do not resuscitate

HOB

head of bed

DOA

dead on arrival

HPI

history of present illness

DOB

date of birth

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

hs

hour of sleep, bedtime

DPT

diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)

HTN

hypertension

DSM

diagnostic & statistical manual

I&D

incision and drainage

DTR

deep tendon reflexes

IM

intramuscular

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

I&O

intake and output

Dx

diagnosis

IV

intravenous

ECG

electrocardiogram (or EKG)

IVP

intravenous pyelogram

ED

emergency department

EEG

electroencephalogram-gram

JCAHO Joint Commission on Accreditation of

Healthcare Organizations

EMA

early morning awakening

JVD

jugular venous distention

ENT

ears, nose, and throat

KUB

kidney, ureter and bladder (x-ray)

EOM

extraocular muscles or movement

KVO

keep vein open

ERT

estrogen replacement therapy

LE

lower extremities

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

LFTs

liver function tests

last menstrual period

end-stage renal disease

LMP
ESRD

LNMP last normal menstrual period

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LOC

loss or level of consciousness

PND

paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or post nasal drip

LP

lumbar puncture

PNS

peripheral nervous system

MI

myocardial infarction (heart attack)

PPD

purified protein derivative (TB skin test)

MMR measles, mumps, and rubella (vaccine)

pr

per rectum

MMSE mini mental state exam

PRN

as needed (pro re nata)

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MS

mental status or multiple sclerosis

PROM passive range of motion or premature rupture of

membranes

NAD

no acute or apparent distress

PSA

prostate specific antigen (test)

NGT

nasogastric tube

PT

physical therapy

NKA

no known allergies

PTA

prior to admission

NKDA no known drug allergies

PUD

peptic ulcer disease

NPO

nothing by mouth (non peros)

PVD

peripheral vascular disease

NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

q4h

every 4 hours

NSR

normal sinus rhythm

q6h

every 6 hours

NSS

normal saline solution

qam

every morning

NV

nausea/vomiting

qd

every day**

NVD

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

qh

every hour

NWB

non-weight bearing

qhs

every night

OA

osteoarthritis

qid

4x/day

OC

oral contraceptives

qod

every other day**

od

right eye (ocular dexter)

RA

rheumatoid arthritis or right atrium

OOB

out of bed

RBC

red blood cell

os

left eye (ocular sinister)

REM

rapid eye movements

OT

occupational therapy

RLQ

right lower quadrant

OTC

over-the-counter

R/O

rule out

ou

both eyes

ROM

range of motion or rupture of membranes

after

ROS

review of systems

p.c.

after meals

RRR

regular rate & rhythm

PCN

penicillin

R/T

related to

PE

physical examination or pulmonary embolism

without (sans)

PERRLA pupils equal, round, reactive to light and

accommodation

SBE

subacute bacterial endocarditis

SC

subcutaneous

PID

pelvic inflammatory disease

Sig

label

PMH

past medical history

SL

sublingual

PMI

point of maximal impulse (apical pulse)

SOB

shortness of breath

S/P

status post (after)

(RUQ, LLQ, LUQ)

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sp.gr.

specific gravity

UE

upper extremities

S.Q.

subcutaneous(ly)

URI

upper respiratory infection

S/S

signs and symptoms

UTI

urinary tract infection

STAT

immediately

VS

vital signs

STS

serological test for syphilis

VSS

vital signs stable

Sx

symptoms

WBC

white blood cell

TCDB

turn, cough, deep breathe

WD/WN well developed, well nourished

TIA

transient ischemial attack (mini stroke)

WF/BF

tid

3x/day

TM

tympanic membrane

TMJ

temporomand-ibular joint

TNTC

too numerous to count

TPN

total parenteral nutrition

TURP

transurethral resection of prostate

TSE

testicular self- examination

UA

urinalysis

white female/black female

WM/BM white male/black male

WNL
y/o

within normal limits

years old
change

** appear on the JCAHO Do Not Use list should

write out daily or every other day
Caution against using: < or >