Which vowel is most commonly used when combining word parts?

Choice A rationale:

Proper hand-washing technique involves washing hands for at least 20 seconds. This duration ensures thorough cleansing and removal of germs, dirt, and contaminants from the hands. Washing for a shorter time, such as 10 seconds (Choice B), may not effectively eliminate all harmful microorganisms, increasing the risk of infections and transmission of diseases.

Choice B rationale:

Washing hands for only 10 seconds is insufficient to achieve the necessary level of cleanliness. It is essential to follow recommended guidelines to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings and other environments where hygiene is crucial.

Choice C rationale:

Washing hands for 45 seconds (Choice C) is longer than the recommended duration and might not be practical, especially in busy healthcare settings. While thorough hand hygiene is essential, excessively long washing times could lead to reduced compliance among healthcare workers, potentially compromising patient safety.

Choice D rationale:

Proper hand-washing technique involves scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds, making Choice D incorrect. Following the recommended guidelines is crucial to maintaining a safe and hygienic healthcare environment.

Choice A rationale:

A suffix is a word part that is added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning. For example, in the medical term "cardiologist," the suffix '-ologist' means a specialist or expert. A suffix is placed at the end of a root word or a combining form to create a specific medical term.

Choice B rationale:

A word root is the foundational part of a medical term. It contains the core meaning of the term and is not usually modified by prefixes or suffixes. For instance, in the term "cardiology," 'cardi-' is the word root, representing the heart. Word roots provide the essential meaning of the medical term.

Choice C rationale:

A prefix is a word part that is added to the beginning of a root word or a combining form to modify its meaning. Prefixes are important in medical terminology as they indicate locations, numbers, or time. For example, in the term "prehypertension," the prefix 'pre-' means before. Prefixes are added at the beginning of a word.

Choice D rationale:

A combining form is a word root combined with a vowel (usually 'o') that can be joined with other word parts to create a medical term. Combining forms are used as a connector to join a root word and a suffix or another root word. For example, in the term "gastritis," 'gastr-' is the combining form, representing the stomach. Combining forms facilitate the construction of complex medical terms.