CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What does the suffix "-emia" represent in medical terms?

1. Blood condition

2. Pain

3. Removal

4. Inflammation

The correct answer is: Blood condition

The suffix "-emia" is used in medical terminology to denote a condition related to blood. It originates from the Greek word "haima," which means blood. When you see "-emia" at the end of a medical term, it typically indicates some type of abnormality or condition that involves the blood, such as anemia (low red blood cell count) or leukemia (a type of cancer affecting blood-forming tissues). In contrast, the other suffixes have different meanings: one indicates a painful condition, another implies removal or excision, and the last is associated with inflammation. Therefore, recognizing that "-emia" specifically refers to a blood condition is crucial for accurate diagnosis and understanding of medical terminology.