In module one you were introduced to many abbreviations related to the assessment of vital signs. You may now feel more confident about identifying clinical expressions that are simply a shortening of a clinical word. For example, temp. Used instead of temperature, or pulsox for pulse oximeter. You have also studied abbreviations constructed from the initials or first letter of words such as BP for blood pressure, HTN for hypertension and TPR for temperature, pulse and respirations. You've been introduced to complex terms like hyperthermia and hypothermia. Now, we will intensify the process of learning to discover the meaning of these more complex medical terms. You will learn how to infer, or think through, the meaning of a complex term. Identifying the parts of medical words and figuring out how they fit together is like a puzzle. These word parts are used across the sciences and derive from Greek or Latin words. The parts are usually the beginning or the prefix, the middle or the root, and the ending or the suffix. Often a word consists of just the prefix and the root. Or the root and the suffix. Let's examine the words hypothermia and hyperthermia more closely. Notice that the main part, or root of both words, is thermia. You've already used this root in the word thermometer. A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature. So therm has to do with temperature. Then you may recognize the term hyper from common English language usage. A word such as hyperactive or hypercritical. Hyper means more or extreme. So, hyperthermia refers to high or extreme body temperature. Hypothermia is the opposite of hyperthermia. Can you guess what hypothermia means? Yes, low temperature. The prefixes hyper and hypo radically change the meaning of the root. Here the prefix is described the amount or degree of temperature. A prefix or suffix can also indicate size, color, shape, or direction. A key to solving these medical word puzzles is a list of common prefixes, roots, and suffixes. We call this the Prefix, Root, and Suffix List. Or, the PRS List. The list is available as a study guide in this module and in the clinical terminology dictionary. Take a good look at the PRS list. Notice that the list is alphabetical, that those terms that are usually prefixes are followed by a dash and those that are more often suffixes are preceded by a dash. Although there is considerable consistency with the role of either prefix, root or suffix some terms play interchangeable roles. If you are conscientious and use the PRS list frequently the Latin and Greek terms simply become part of your new language. Take the time now to confirm the meaning of the prefixes and root for the words for hypertension and hypotension. You will quickly identify the prefixes as the same as in our previous example. Recheck the meaning on the PRS list if your not sure. Now identify and look up the root in the PRS list. How do these puzzle pieces fit together? If you had problems with this exercise you can bring this up on the discussion board. Being an active participant will greatly increase your success in this course. For example, actually using the PRS list for an easy puzzle about hyper and hypotension gives you a pattern for that activity and makes the process more efficient as you work on more difficult problems. Actually practicing, saying the terms and abbreviations as they are presented in the course, will greatly enhance your learning. Check your pronunciations against those presented in the course audio. Positive experience builds confidence. Soon this becomes easy and fun. Another way to be an active participant is sharing your learning experience on a discussion board. Keep a list of terms and abbreviations that are difficult for you, surprise you, or cause confusion. Share this on the discussion board. Help others as they share their list. The support of others is very important. You can find fellow students in your city or town and arrange meet ups. You can create scripts for mock medical or nursing conversations and then read them to each other. Both the experience of writing the clinical language and hearing it will be beneficial to you. Use discussion boards to suggest abbreviations and terms that you think should be included in the course or dictionary. You are part of a global community of new healthcare providers. We are learning and growing together. Let's go look around at a typical U.S. clinical unit.