Word Parts & Building Vocabulary

Word Parts & Building Vocabulary

Conquering the vocabulary section of the HESI A2 Reading Comprehension exam involves more than just memorizing long lists of words. This chapter delves into the world of word parts, unveiling how understanding common medical and scientific root words, prefixes, and suffixes empowers you to decode unfamiliar terms and build a robust vocabulary for success.

Introduction to Common Medical and Scientific Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes

The language of medicine and science is built upon a foundation of common root words, prefixes, and suffixes. These word parts act like building blocks, combining to create a vast array of terms. By familiarizing yourself with these components, you’ll gain the ability to decipher unfamiliar vocabulary and navigate the HESI A2 Reading Comprehension section with confidence.

• Root Words: These are the core elements of a word that carry its basic meaning. Many medical terms are derived from Latin or Greek root words. Learning these roots allows you to recognize patterns and infer the meaning of unfamiliar terms.

Here are some examples of common medical and scientific root words you might encounter:

• cardi/o (heart): cardiology (study of the heart), cardiac (related to the heart)

• derm/o (skin): dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), dermatologist (skin specialist)

• bio (life): biology (study of living things), biopsy (removal of tissue for examination)

• path (disease): pathology (study of disease), pathogen (disease-causing agent)

• Prefixes: These are word parts added to the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning. Knowing common prefixes equips you to understand a wider range of vocabulary in the HESI A2 exam.
  

Here are some examples of prefixes you might encounter:

• bi- (two): bilateral (on both sides)

• inter- (between): intravenous (within a vein)

• sub- (under): subcutaneous (beneath the skin)

• pre- (before): prenatal (before birth)

• dys- (abnormal): dysfunction (impaired function)

• Suffixes: These are word parts added to the end of a root word to indicate its function or role in a sentence. Being familiar with suffixes allows you to recognize different parts of speech and understand the meaning of new terms.
  

Here are some examples of suffixes you might encounter:

• -itis (inflammation): dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
• -ectomy (surgical removal): appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix)
• -logy (study of): biology (study of living things)
• -opia (vision condition): myopia (nearsightedness)
• -al (related to): dermal (related to the skin)

Understanding How Word Parts Contribute to Overall Word Meaning

By dissecting a word into its component parts, you gain a deeper understanding of its overall meaning. Here’s how word parts work together:

• Root Word + Suffix: Often, the root word carries the core meaning, and the suffix specifies its function or role. For example, in the word “dermatitis,” the root word “derm” refers to skin, and the suffix “-itis” indicates inflammation. Combining these parts, you understand that “dermatitis” refers to inflammation of the skin.

• Prefix + Root Word: A prefix can alter or modify the meaning of the root word. For example, the prefix “pre-” in “prenatal” signifies “before,” and the root word “natal” refers to birth. Therefore, “prenatal” means occurring before birth.

• Prefix + Root Word + Suffix: Many medical terms combine all three elements: root word, prefix, and suffix. Take the term “biopsy.” The root word “bio” refers to life, the prefix “bi” means “to take or obtain,” and the suffix “-psy” signifies a sample or specimen. Putting it all together, “biopsy” means the removal of a tissue sample for examination.
  

Building New Vocabulary by Analyzing Word Parts

Understanding word parts empowers you to build a robust vocabulary and approach unfamiliar terms with confidence. Here’s how:

• Decode Unfamiliar Words: When you encounter an unfamiliar term in the HESI A2 passage, break it down into its component parts. Identify the root word, any prefixes or suffixes, and use your knowledge of their individual meanings to infer the overall meaning of the term within the context of the passage.

Example: Let’s say you encounter the word “tachycardia” in the passage. You might recognize the root word “cardi” (heart) from previous encounters. If you’re unsure about the other parts, you can look for clues. Perhaps the surrounding text mentions rapid heart rate. This can help you infer that “tachy” might be related to speed or increase. By consulting a reference or using process of elimination based on surrounding information, you can confirm that “tachycardia” refers to a rapid heartbeat.

• Expand Your Word Knowledge: Learning a new root word opens doors to a family of related terms. For example, once you understand “cardi” means heart, you can start recognizing other words like “cardiovascular” (related to the heart and blood vessels) and “cardiologist” (a heart specialist).
• Active Learning: Don’t just passively memorize lists of word parts. Engage in active learning by creating flashcards with root words, prefixes, and suffixes, along with their meanings and example terms. Practice building new words by combining these parts and testing yourself on their definitions.

Practice Exercises Using Word Parts to Decode Unfamiliar Terms

Test your newfound knowledge of word parts with the following exercises:

Exercise 1: Identify the Meaning of Root Words

Match the following root words with their corresponding meanings:

• derma a. muscle
• neuro b. life
• cyto c. pertaining to air
• path d. skin
• osteo e. disease

Exercise 2: Analyze Prefixes and Suffixes

Indicate the meaning conveyed by the following prefixes and suffixes:

• Prefix: anti-
• Suffix: -logy
• Prefix: sub-
• Suffix: -ectomy
• Prefix: peri-

Exercise 3: Decode Unfamiliar Terms

Break down the following medical terms into their component parts (root word, prefix, suffix) and infer their meaning based on your understanding of word parts:

• nephrectomy
• bronchoscopy
• hematology
• biopsychosocial

Answers:

Exercise 1:

• derma – d. skin
• neuro – b. life
• cyto – c. pertaining to air (note: cyto more commonly refers to cells)
• path – e. disease
• osteo – a. muscle

Exercise 2:

• Prefix: anti- – against, opposite
• Suffix: -logy – study of
• Prefix: sub- – under, below
• Suffix: -ectomy – surgical removal
• Prefix: peri- – around, surrounding

Exercise 3:

• nephrectomy (nephro- kidney, -ectomy – surgical removal) – surgical removal of a kidney
• bronchoscopy (broncho- airways, -scopy – examination) – examination of the airways using a scope
• hematology (hema- blood, -logy – study of) – study of blood and blood disorders
• biopsychosocial (bio- life, psycho- mind, social – social factors) – considering biological, psychological, and social factors in healthcare

By actively engaging with these exercises and practicing your word part analysis skills, you’ll be well on your way to conquering unfamiliar vocabulary in the HESI A2 Reading Comprehension section and building a strong foundation for success in your healthcare education journey.