NCLEX Vocabulary, Prefixes, and Suffixes You Need To Know

During your NCLEX, you may encounter some questions with words in them that you have never heard of or don’t recognize.  Have no fear because we are going to help you. By learning some common vocabulary, prefixes, and suffixes, you can usually figure out what a word means or pertains too. Review the following tables we have put together to help you prepare for the NCLEX.

Quiz yourself on these terms. If you know all of them, that’s great! You are on the path to passing the NCLEX. If you struggle with these, I suggest printing them out or making flashcards to help you study. Learning these vocabulary words, prefixes, and suffixes will help you pass the NCLEX.

Before we begin, let's review what a prefix and a suffix is,

Prefix: a affix placed at the beginning of a word

Suffix: an affix placed at the end of a word

Tips For Evaluating a Word

Remember these helpful tips when learning a new word or trying to determine the meaning of a medical word,

• Learning the meanings of root words, suffixes, and prefixes is easier than learning each individual word.
• When evaluating a new or unknown medical work, look at the suffix first. Most medical terms have suffixes.
• A prefix is in the front of a word.
• A suffix is at the end of a word.
• If you struggle with learning vocabulary, try making flashcards. You can take them wherever you go and review them when you have a few spare minutes.

There are many words that you can determine what they are related to by figuring out what body part they are referring to. Check out the following words to see what you already know and what you don’t. If you don’t know or recognize a term, write it down to review later.

Root Words for Parts of the Body

            Next, let’s review suffixes related to surgery. Do you remember what a suffix is? An affix placed at the end of a word. Take a look at these suffixes and their examples related to surgery to see which ones you already know and which ones you need more review on.

Suffixes Related to Surgery

            Let’s review suffixes for diseases next. You will learn about many diseases in nursing school but sometimes it may be difficult to recall what you learned about them. By being able to recognize a disease’s suffix you can determine what the disease relates to and possibly be able to jog your memory.

Suffixes Related to Diseases

            Next, let’s review suffixes for medical tests. Imaging and testing can be difficult to memorize and easy to mix up if you have never actually seen the testing performed. Use these suffixes to help you clarify what the testing is for.

Suffixes For Medical Tests

            You will probably get at least one or more questions related to positioning . Many positioning terms can easily get confused and mixed up. Review the following prefixes for positioning.

Prefixes for Positioning

            Lastly, let's review medication suffixes. Pharmacology is tough but learning suffixes can help you learn the medication classes and their uses. Review the following common medication suffixes to quiz yourself. Don’t stress if you don’t know all of these, they are tough. Print them out or make flashcards if you need more work on these.

Medication Suffixes