Comprehensive List of Prefixes and Suffixes in Medical Coding
Comprehensive List of Prefixes and Suffixes in Medical Coding
Medical coding is a critical part of healthcare documentation, requiring
a deep understanding of medical terminology. Prefixes and suffixes are key
components of medical terms, and their knowledge is essential for accurate
coding. Below is a detailed guide to prefixes and suffixes commonly used in
medical coding, along with tips for mastering them.
Understanding Prefixes and Suffixes
What Are Prefixes?
A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a medical term to
modify its meaning. It often indicates location, number, time, or status.
What Are Suffixes?
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a medical term to provide
additional meaning, often describing a condition, disease, or procedure.
Common Prefixes in Medical Coding
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
a-, an- |
Without,
not |
Anemia
(lack of blood) |
anti- |
Against,
opposing |
Anticoagulant
(prevents blood clotting) |
brady- |
Slow |
Bradycardia
(slow heartbeat) |
hyper- |
Excessive,
above |
Hypertension
(high blood pressure) |
hypo- |
Deficient,
below |
Hypoglycemia
(low blood sugar) |
inter- |
Between |
Intercostal
(between the ribs) |
peri- |
Around |
Pericardium
(around the heart) |
poly- |
Many |
Polyneuropathy
(damage to many nerves) |
sub- |
Under,
below |
Subcutaneous
(under the skin) |
tachy- |
Fast |
Tachycardia
(fast heartbeat) |
Common Suffixes in Medical Coding
Suffix |
Meaning |
Example |
-algia |
Pain |
Neuralgia
(nerve pain) |
-ectomy |
Surgical
removal |
Appendectomy
(removal of appendix) |
-itis |
Inflammation |
Arthritis
(joint inflammation) |
-lysis |
Breakdown,
destruction |
Hemolysis
(destruction of red blood cells) |
-oma |
Tumor,
swelling |
Lipoma
(fatty tumor) |
-opathy |
Disease |
Cardiomyopathy
(heart disease) |
-plasty |
Surgical
repair |
Rhinoplasty
(nose surgery) |
-scopy |
Visual
examination |
Endoscopy
(visual examination of internal organs) |
-stomy |
Opening |
Colostomy
(opening of the colon) |
-tomy |
Cutting
into |
Laparotomy
(cutting into the abdomen) |
Examples of Combining Prefixes,
Roots, and Suffixes
1. Hypertension
o
Prefix: hyper- (excessive)
o
Root: tens (pressure)
o
Suffix: -ion (process)
o
Meaning: High blood pressure.
2. Bradycardia
o
Prefix: brady- (slow)
o
Root: cardi (heart)
o
Suffix: -ia (condition)
o
Meaning: Slow heartbeat.
3. Gastroenteritis
o
Prefix: gastro- (stomach)
o
Root: enter (intestines)
o
Suffix: -itis (inflammation)
o
Meaning: Inflammation of the stomach and
intestines.
Study Tips for Mastering Prefixes
and Suffixes
1. Create
Flashcards: Write the prefix or suffix on one side and its meaning and examples on
the other.
2. Practice
Daily: Dedicate time each day to reviewing and practicing terms.
3. Use
Mnemonics: Develop memory aids to recall difficult terms easily.
4. Group by
Theme: Learn terms by category, such as those related to the cardiovascular
or respiratory system.
5. Apply in
Context: Practice coding exercises to see terms in use.
Understanding prefixes and suffixes is essential
for success in medical coding. By mastering these components, you can
accurately interpret and code medical terms, improving your efficiency and
accuracy in this critical field. Regular practice and application will help you
build confidence and proficiency over time.
No comments