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.


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