Medical Terminology Course Overview

Course Description

This course, offered by Quinnipiac University's School of Health Sciences, is designed to introduce students to the principles of medical terminology. It focuses on word analysis, construction, and meanings as applied to medical and surgical terms, with a review of anatomy to contextualize terminology. The course is intended for health science students and emphasizes active learning through textbook exercises, online resources, and practical application in clinical documentation.

Learning Outcomes

• Pronunciation, Spelling, and Definition: Students will learn to recognize, pronounce, spell, and define medical terms by understanding word parts.

• Interpretation: Ability to interpret readings containing medical terms and abbreviations.

• Application: Correct use of medical terms and abbreviations in real-world scenarios, such as case studies and electronic medical records (EMR).

• Pharmacology Integration: Incorporate essential pharmacology information with medical terminology.

• Diagnostics: Differentiate tests and procedures used in physical assessment and diagnosis related to medical terminology topics.

• Clinical Documentation: Analyze clinical cases and accurately apply terminology in SOAP notes.

Required Materials

• Textbook: Medical Terminology Complete! 4th Edition by Bruce Wingerd (Pearson).

• Optional: Pearson MyLab Medical Terminology resources for additional practice and activities.

Course Structure and Weekly Workflow

In-Class and Independent Learning

• One 50-minute class session per week (on-ground or via Zoom).

• Weekly review of a new chapter from the textbook.

• Independent work includes reading, textbook exercises, and optional MyLab activities.

• Weekly "Module Prep Quiz" due by Sunday 11:59 PM EST, with unlimited attempts to achieve the highest score.

Example Weekly Workflow

• Monday: Read chapter, complete textbook exercises, optional MyLab activities.

• Tuesday: Review terms and online resources.

• Wednesday: Practice Module Prep Quiz questions.

• Thursday-Saturday: Repeat Module Prep Quiz for mastery.

• Sunday: Finalize and submit Module Prep Quiz.

Assessment and Grading

Grading Breakdown

Note: Extra credit is not offered. Assignments must be submitted via Canvas; late quizzes are not accepted except for documented medical emergencies.

Exams

• Midterm and final exams administered via Canvas with Lockdown browser.

• Midterm: 100 questions, 50 minutes.

• Final: 100 questions, 120 minutes.

• One attempt per exam; missed exams require medical documentation for makeup.

Course Calendar and Chapter Topics

Module and Chapter Alignment

Additional info: Some modules do not match chapter numbers; refer to the course outline for correct alignment.

Key Course Policies

• Attendance: Required for all sessions; one excused absence allowed with medical documentation.

• Academic Integrity: Strict adherence to university policy; cheating or unauthorized use of AI tools is prohibited.

• Disability Services: Accommodations available through the Office of Student Accessibility.

• Late Policy: No late submissions for Module Prep Quizzes except for documented emergencies.

• Class Cancellation: Canvas quizzes remain due even if class is canceled; extensions granted only for severe weather/power outages.

Summary of Main Medical Terminology Topics

• Word Parts: Roots, prefixes, and suffixes form the basis of medical terms.

• Word Construction: Understanding how terms are built aids in pronunciation, spelling, and meaning.

• Body Systems: Terminology is applied to various systems, including skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, nervous, and endocrine systems.

• Clinical Application: Use of medical terms in documentation, case studies, and SOAP notes.

SOAP Note Assignment

Overview

The SOAP note (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) is a standardized method for clinical documentation. Students will practice and submit SOAP notes as part of their assessment, applying medical terminology accurately.

• Subjective: Patient's reported symptoms and history.

• Objective: Clinical findings, test results.

• Assessment: Diagnosis based on subjective and objective data.

• Plan: Treatment and follow-up recommendations.

Conclusion

This syllabus provides a comprehensive structure for learning medical terminology, emphasizing active participation, mastery of word parts, and application in clinical settings. Students are encouraged to utilize all resources, adhere to policies, and engage fully in the learning process to achieve proficiency in medical terminology.