Medical Terminology Lecture Course
HLT235
Rhonda Gamble Ph.D.
Fall 200 6
3 credit hours
Mineral Area College
8.21.06
Short Description of the Course
This course is concerned with medical word analysis, the general structure and function of body systems,
and some common pathological conditions. Course testing assumes that the students are seeking health
care professions and need to be able to both define and remember medical terms and related
abbreviations as they are utilized in the medical world.
I
Reference Materials and Texts
Language of Medicine Davi-Ellen Chabner (7th Edition)
Any good medical dictionary
II
Course Objectives and Competencies
After completing this course the student will be:
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Able to define many medical terms introduced in the first 11 chapters of the text
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Able to describe common pathological conditions and diagnostic procedures as described
in the medical terminology text
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Able to give the correct medical term when given the definition for that term
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Be prepared to complete Medical Terminology II if they have a C or better in Medical
Terminology and Pathology I.
Course Competencies for: Medical Terminology and Pathology I
The student will accomplish the following competencies upon successful completion of the course in medical
terminology and pathology I. Successful completion is defined as receiving a grade C or better in the semester
course. These competencies should be attainable with the various modalities of instruction available at Mineral Area
College (classroom, independent study, and web)
1. The student will be able to analyze a medical term by dividing them into component parts (prefixes, suffixes and
combining forms) and defining and building words using these parts.
2. The student will be able to describe the general location, relative position and function of the major organs
located in the systems selected for the first semester course in Med Term (digestive, renal, reproductive, neural and
cardiovascular).
3. The student will be aware of the importance of spelling medical terms as incorrect spelling alters the meaning of
the terms (ilium and ileum).
4. The student will be able to define basic laboratory tests and clinical procedures that are conducted on the
systems covered in the first course in medical terminology (see #2)
5. The student will be able to differentiate between different pathological and infectious diseases as they relate to
the body systems covered in the first course in medical terminology (see #2).
6. The student will be able to identify and define the abbreviations used to describe laboratory tests and pathological
conditions as they relate to the organ systems covered in this first course.
7. Students will be able to define the medical terms for this course (either in written reports or as short definitions),
and will be able to identify the term when given the medical definition.
III
Teaching Methods
Computer generated slide shows are used in class to help the student visualize anatomical structures
described in each chapter. CD-ROM practice programs are available with newly purchased texts and may
be used on certain computers in some student computer labs (ask instructor for location and protocol for
use).
IV
Course content
Week
1
Chapter Title
Introduction to Medical Terms (ch1)
Introduction to Medical Terms
Introduction to Medical Terms
2
Exam 1
Prefixes (Ch2)
Prefixes
3
Labor Day - No classes
Exam 2
Suffixes (ch3)
Suffixes
4
Exam 3
Whole Body Terms (ch4)
5
Whole Body Terms
Whole Body Terms
Exam 4
6
Digestive System (Ch 5)
Digestive System
Digestive System
7
Exam 5
Additional Suffixes (ch6)
Additional Suffixes
8
Additional Suffixes
Exam 6
Urinary System (ch7)
9
Urinary System
Exam 7
Female Reproductive (ch8)
10
Female Reproductive
Exam 8
Male Reproductive (ch9)
11
Male Reproductive (ch9)
Exam 9
Notes
Fall Break – no class – Nov 3
12
Nervous System (ch 10)
Nervous System
Nervous System
13
Nervous System
Exam 10
Cardiovascular System (ch11)
14
Cardiovascular System
Cardiovascular System
Thanksgiving - No classes
15
Cardiovascular System
Cardiovascular System
Exam 11
Final Week – comprehensive final
16
V
Student Evaluation
Eleven 100 point examinations will be given according to the above outline. Ten point quizes will also be given
throughout the semester. Only ten of the quizzes and ten of the lecture tests will be kept to determine the final
grade. A comprehensive final will be given during finals week.
No lecture or exams or quizzes may be made-up. The lowest scores will be dropped but the dropped grade may
not be the comprehensive final. If a student makes at least a C on all tests, including the one dropped, one
percentage point will be added to the final grade in the course .
Lecture Exams
Lecture Quizzes
Final
1100
130
100
Total
(Keep 1000)
(Keep 100)
100
1200 pts
Grading Scale: 90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, Below 60% F
VI
Special Policies
If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need any test or course materials
provided in an alternative format, notify your instructor immediately. Reasonable efforts will be made to
accommodate your special needs. Special Needs Services is located in AS103.
Behavior
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and may result in a zero on the assignment or an F in the course.
Students may make appeals about such decisions to the head of the nursing department and/or the Dean of
students. Students are expected to come on time to class and keep absences to a minimum. Late arrival to
class may mean you have missed a 10 point quiz. This quiz will be recorded as a zero and may not be made
up.
Cell phones shall be turned off (not on vibrate) when in class.
Tutoring
Please check with the instructor about available tutoring services. The Excel program at Mineral Area College
provides tutors qualified students.
Making flash cards is the most recommended method of studying for the course. Consider cutting up pieces of
paper and putting the name on one side and the definition on the other. You need to be able to give the definition
when given the word OR be able to give the word when given the definition on the exams for this course.