CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What medical prefix would you use to describe an absence of something?

1. Demi-

2. De-

3. Cyan-

4. Crani-

The correct answer is: De-

The correct choice for describing an absence of something is the prefix "De-." This prefix is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate removal, reversal, or absence. For example, in terms like "dehydration," it implies the absence of water. In this context, it clearly conveys the concept of something being taken away or diminished. The other prefixes do not relate to absence in a medical context. "Demi-" typically means half or partial, which does not indicate a complete absence. "Cyan-" refers to a blue color, often used to describe conditions related to a lack of oxygen, but not directly to absence. "Crani-" pertains to the skull, which does not connect to the concept of absence either. Therefore, "De-" is definitively the best choice when describing the absence of something.