CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What does the suffix "-asis" denote in medical terms?

1. Disease

2. Condition

3. Inflammation

4. Excision

The correct answer is: Condition

The suffix "-asis" is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a condition, particularly one that is abnormal or pathological. It often describes an abnormal state, such as in the words "nephrosis" (a kidney condition) or "homeostasis" (the condition of stable internal environment). This suffix helps convey that a certain state or process is occurring, and understanding this suffix is crucial for accurately interpreting medical terms and their implications in healthcare billing and coding. The other terms like disease, inflammation, and excision have different specific suffixes and meanings in medical terminology, such as "-pathy" for disease, "-itis" for inflammation, and "-ectomy" for excision, further emphasizing the unique role that "-asis" plays in denoting a condition.