CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What condition does the suffix "-iasis" signify?

1. Infection

2. Condition

3. Pain

4. Growth

The correct answer is: Condition

The suffix "-iasis" is commonly used in medical terminology to denote a condition or state, particularly one that is often abnormal or pathological. This suffix is frequently found in the names of diseases and disorders, indicating a specific condition that may be the result of a disease process, infestation, or other underlying problems. For instance, in terms such as "lithiasis," which refers to the presence of stones in the body, "-iasis" is used to identify the condition related to stone formation. This usage of the suffix helps distinguish it from other medical terminology that refers to different concepts, such as infections or specific types of pain. In contrast, the other options represent different aspects of medical terminology: "infection" relates to an invasion of pathogens, "pain" refers to an unpleasant sensory experience, and "growth" usually pertains to an increase in size or number. None of these definitions accurately capture the specific meaning conveyed by "-iasis," which is fundamentally about the state or condition itself.