Medical Terminology: High School

Foundational Standards

Introduction to Medical Terminology

Levels of Body Organization

Body Systems

Incorporate safety procedures in handling, operating, and maintaining tools and machinery; handling materials; utilizing personal protective equipment; maintaining a safe work area; and handling hazardous materials and forces. 

Demonstrate effective workplace and employability skills, including communication, awareness of diversity, positive work ethic, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork. 

Explore the range of careers available in the field and investigate their educational requirements and demonstrate job-seeking skills including resume-writing and interviewing. 

Advocate and practice safe, legal, responsible, and ethical use of information and technology tools specific to the industry pathway.

Participate in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) to increase knowledge and skills and to enhance leadership and teamwork.

Demonstrate effective infection control techniques as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Joint Commission guidelines.

Identify and explain Greek and Latin origins for parts of medical terms. 

Decode medical terms by breaking them down into the individual word parts and translating each to decipher meaning

Arrange word elements including word root, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes to correctly build medical terms.

Identify medical abbreviations approved by The Joint Commission and explain their proper use. 

Interpret common prefixes and explain how they are used. 

Compare and contrast prefixes pertaining to numbers, color, measurements, and negatives and explain how each one modifies the meaning of words. 

Utilize and explain suffixes pertaining to instruments, diagnostic procedures, and surgical procedures. 

Recognize and interpret suffixes pertaining to symptoms or diagnosis. 

Utilize and explain suffixes pertaining to specialties and specialists. 

Use medical terminology to describe locations of body planes, regions, and cavities in relation to anatomical positions. 

Explain and demonstrate directional and positional terms. 

Utilize and explain abbreviations associated with body organization. 

Decipher and explain combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes specific to each body system.

Locate anatomical structures relating to each body system.

Interpret medical terms and abbreviations that are common to each system from a variety of technical writings.

Create technical writing samples that include proper body system terminology.