THE B.U.R.P.S LIST - Johns Hopkins School Of Nursing

1Welcome to the School of Nursing at the Johns Hopkins University!As a faculty who coordinates one of your first semester courses I am making available to you some helpful anduseful information. I have included it below for your reading pleasure! There are two documents: the“B.U.R.P.S.” list (Building and Understanding Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes) and Talk like a Nurse. Thisdocument lists many (not all) of the medical terms used in your first semester classes and I believe will easeyour transition into a new way of speaking.THE B.U.R.P.S LISTPurpose: To become proficient in Building and Understanding Roots, Prefixes and SuffixesRationale: Building and understanding medical terminology is simpler when the words are broken down intoroots, prefixes and suffixes.Steps: Review the B.U.R.P.S. tables and try to determine the definitions of the examples Notice the overlap among the three groups of roots, prefixes and suffixes Make new words by changing one part of the word. For example, if an appendectomy is the removalof the appendix, then a nephrectomy is the removal of a kidney. Tachycardia is a fast heart rate andtachypnea is a fast respiration rate.Helpful Note: R/T means “related to”TALK LIKE A NURSEPurpose: To become familiar with acronyms commonly used by health care providersRationale: Different professions have unique languages; medicine and nursing are no exceptions. Theacronyms below are used in verbal and written communication in health care settings.Steps: Review the attached list of acronyms (then you can start to critique shows like “House” and “Gray’sAnatomy” for accuracy!) Notice that some acronyms have two different meanings; e.g., ROM stands for “range of motion” and“rupture of membranes” - be careful when using abbreviations Take the Self Assessment after reading the approved terms, found in BlackboardNOTE: All institutions have a list of accepted and “do not use” abbreviations. Always check with the institutionbefore using an abbreviation.

2THE B.U.R.P.S LISTI. RootsR/T Body PartsRootAngi(o), Gloss(o)Hemo, sanguin(o)Hyster(o)Mast(o), mamm(o)Men(o)Nephr(o), Ren(o)Oophor(o)Ophthalm, Ocul(o)Ot(o), Auri, AudPhleb(o), gBlood Finger, toeBrainIntestineTongueBloodWomb, uterusBreastMonth, r/t mensesKidneyOvaryEyeEarVeinFootNoseFallopian tubeChestClotOther RootsRootGluc(o)Hydr(o)Lact(o)Lip(o), adip(o)ThermMeaningSweet, sugarWaterMilkFatHeatExample(s)Angioplasty, vasoconstrictionBrachialBuccalCardiopathyCarpal tunnel syndromeCephalicColposcopyCraniotomyCystoscopy, cystitisCytology, s, glossopharyngealHemolytic, serosanguinousHysterectomyMastitis, mammographyMenopause, menarche, dysmenorrhealNephrectomy, renalOopherectomyOphthalmoscope, ocularOtitis, auricle, audiometerPhlebitis, venousPodiatristRhinoplasty, rhinorrheaSalpingectomy, salpingitisThoracotomy, thoracicThrombosis, thrombolyticExample(s)Glucose, glucometerHydrocephalus, hydrophobiaLactosuria, lactatingLipoma, adiposeHyperthermiaII. PrefixesR/T ColorsPrefixErythr(o)Leuk(o), lackYellowExample(s)Erythema, erythrocyteLeukocytes, leukemiaCyanosisMelaninCirrhosis

3R/T DescriptionsPrefixAnkyl(o)Sten(o), StricOrthoKyphoPseudoR/T MeasurementsPrefixMacroMicroPoly, Hyper, MultiBradyTachyOligo, HypoIsoDiplo, AmbiHemiPanR/T PositionsPrefixPro, Ante, PrePostSuper, erHeter(o)Hom(o)Ad(o)Ab(o)Anti, ContraEndo, In, IntraEx(o), Ec(to)EpiDia, TransPeri, CircumSinister(a)Dextr(o)MeaningStiff, fixed, crookedNarrowStraight positionBent, crookedFalseMeaningLargeSmallMany, muchSlowFastFewEqualBoth, TowardsAway fromAgainstIn, within, insideOutUpon, osis, strictureOrthopnea, orthopedicKyphoscoliosis, kyphosisPseudostrabismus, pseudoaneurysmExample(s)Macrophage, macrocephalyMicroscopic, microorganismPolydypsia, hyperthyroidism, multipleBradypneaTachycardiaOliguria, hypothermiaIsometric, isotonicDiplopia, ambidextrousHemiplegia, hemispherePansystolic, pancytopeniaExample(s)Prodromal, antepartum, precapillaryPostnatal, posteriorSuperior, supraclavicularSubmandibular, subcutaneousDorsoflexion, dorsalRetrograde, retrosternalParamedic, paranasalRehydrate, recuperateLateralMedial, mediastinumSchizophreniaIntercostals, interdigitalHeterogeneousHomozygousAdduction, adhesion, adrenalAbduction, abnormalAntigen, contraceptionEndocarditis, inhale, intrapartumExhale, ectopicEpidermis, epigastric, epiglottisDiameter, transfusionPerinatal, circumcisionOS (oculus sinister – left eye)OD (oculus dexter – right eye)

4R/T the tr(o)GlossoHemeHepat(o)LinguLithoMyMyo, myelNeuroOtoOpti, OcuOsteoPneum(o), PulmPsychoRhinoThor(a)VascOther PrefixesPrefixA(n)AutoDysGravidaNeoIII. SuffixesR/T /T Example(s)Adenoma, adenoidsArthritis, arthroscopyCervical, cervicitisCostochondritis, costovertebralCytology, cytomegalyDermatitis, dermatologicalGastritis, gastrointestinalGlossopharyngeal, glossitisHematuria, hematemesis, hemangiomaHepatitis, hepatocellularLingual, linguisticLithotomy, lithotripsyMyoma, myalgiaMyelitisNeuromyalgiaOtitis, otolaryngologyOptician, ocularOsteoarthritis, osteopeniaPneumothorax, pulmonaryPsychology, psychopath, psychosomaticRhinorrhea, rhinitisThoracic, , painfulPregnant, heavyNewMeaningTap, punctureRemovalSeparate, destroyForm an openingCut intoRepairMeaningPainHernia, , avascularAutoimmuneDyspnea, dysuriaGravidityNeonatal, neoplasmExample(s)ThoracentesisMastectomy, appendectomyHemolysisColostomyTracheotomy, craniotomyRhinoplastyExample(s)Arthralgia, myalgiaHydrocele, cystoceleLeukemia, anemiaCarcinogen, allergenAppendicitis, hepatitis

ementResembleTumorAbnormal rAir, breathingBurst forthFlow, dischargeHardeningContractionNourishmentUrineOther SuffixesSuffixGramOlogyPhon(o)ScopeSplenomegaly, hepatomegalyFibroid, keloidAdenoma, myomaDermatosisNeuropathy, psychopathologyCytopenia, thrombocytopeniaDysphagiaAphasia, dysphasiaParaplegia, quadriplegiaAcrophobia, agoraphobiaApnea, dyspnea, pasmAtrophy, hypertrophyNocturia, dysuriaMeaningExample(s)Picture, recordStudy ofSoundInspectElectrocardiogramPathology, dermatologyEgophony, bronchophonyMicroscope, laproscopicTALK LIKE A NURSEA-Panterior-posteriorBUNblood urea nitrogenASAacetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)BXbiopsyA&Walive & well cwith (cum)bid2x/day (bis in dies)CAcancerBKAbelow-the-knee amputation (AKA-above)CABG coronary artery bypass graftBMbowel movementCADcoronary artery diseaseBMIbody mass indexCAGEcut down, annoyed, guilty, eye openerBMRbasal metabolic rateCAMcomplementary alternative medicineBPHbenign prostatic hypertrophyCBCcomplete blood countBRbed restCBEclinical breast examBRPbathroom privilegesCCchief complaintBSbowel soundscccubic centimeterBSEbreast self-examinationCHFcongestive heart failureBSObilateral salpingo-oophorectomycmcentimeter

6CNcranial nerveETOH ethanol (alcohol)CNScentral nervous systemFBforeign bodyC/Ocomplains ofFBSfasting blood sugarCopdchronic obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseFUOfever of unknown originC&Sculture & sensitivityFXfractureCsfcerebrospinal fluidGERD gastroesophageal reflux diseaseCtcomputed(computerized) tomographyGIgastrointestinalCtaclear to auscultationGUgenitourinaryCtscarpal tunnel syndromeH&Phistory and physicalCvacerebrovascular accident (stroke)HAheadacheCxrchest x-rayHBPhigh blood pressureD/CDischarge, DiscontinueHcthematocritD & C dilatation and curettageHEENT head, eyes, ears, nose, throatDFAdifficulty falling asleephgbhemoglobinDJDdegenerative joint diseaseHibhemophilus influenza BDMdiabetes mellitush/ohistory of (or Hx)DNRdo not resuscitateHOBhead of bedDOAdead on arrivalHPIhistory of present illnessDOBdate of birthHRThormone replacement therapyDOEdyspnea on exertionhshour of sleep, bedtimeDPTdiphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)HTNhypertensionDSMdiagnostic & statistical manualI&Dincision and drainageDTR deep tendon reflexesIMintramuscularDVTI&Ointake and outputdeep vein gram (or EKG)IVPintravenous pyelogramEDemergency departmentEEGelectroencephalogram-gramJCAHO Joint Commission on Accreditation ofHealthcare OrganizationsEMAearly morning awakeningJVDjugular venous distentionENTears, nose, and throatKUBkidney, ureter and bladder (x-ray)EOMextraocular muscles or movementKVOkeep vein openERTestrogen replacement therapyLElower extremitiesESRerythrocyte sedimentation rateLFTsliver function testsLMPlast menstrual periodESRDend-stage renal diseaseLNMP last normal menstrual period

7LOCloss or level of consciousnessPNDparoxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or post nasal dripLPlumbar puncturePNSperipheral nervous systemMImyocardial infarction (heart attack)PPDpurified protein derivative (TB skin test)MMR measles, mumps, and rubella (vaccine)prper rectumMMSE mini mental state examPRNas needed (pro re nata)MRImagnetic resonance imagingMSmental status or multiple sclerosisPROM passive range of motion or premature rupture ofmembranesNADno acute or apparent distressPSAprostate specific antigen (test)NGTnasogastric tubePTphysical therapyNKAno known allergiesPTAprior to admissionNKDA no known drug allergiesPUDpeptic ulcer diseaseNPOnothing by mouth (non peros)PVDperipheral vascular diseaseNSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugq4hevery 4 hoursNSRnormal sinus rhythmq6hevery 6 hoursNSSnormal saline solutionqamevery morningNVnausea/vomitingqdevery day**NVDnausea, vomiting, diarrheaqhevery hourNWBnon-weight bearingqhsevery nightOAosteoarthritisqid4x/dayOCoral contraceptivesqodevery other day**odright eye (ocular dexter)RArheumatoid arthritis or right atriumOOBout of bedRBCred blood cellosleft eye (ocular sinister)REMrapid eye movementsOToccupational therapyRLQright lower quadrantOTCover-the-counterR/Orule outouboth eyesROMrange of motion or rupture of membranes pafterROSreview of systemsp.c.after mealsRRRregular rate & rhythmPCNpenicillinR/Trelated toPEphysical examination or pulmonary embolism swithout (sans)PERRLA pupils equal, round, reactive to light andaccommodationSBEsubacute bacterial endocarditisSCsubcutaneousPIDpelvic inflammatory diseaseSiglabelPMHpast medical historySLsublingualPMIpoint of maximal impulse (apical pulse)SOBshortness of breathS/Pstatus post (after)(RUQ, LLQ, LUQ)

8sp.gr.specific gravityUEupper extremitiesS.Q.subcutaneous(ly)URIupper respiratory infectionsigns and symptomsurinary tract infectionSTATimmediatelyVSvital signsSTSserological test for syphilisVSSvital signs stableSxsymptomsTCDBturn, cough, deep breatheWD/WN well developed, well nourishedTIAtransient ischemial attack (mini stroke)WF/BFtid3x/daywhite blood cellWM/BM white male/black maleWNLTMtympanic membraneTMJtemporomand-ibular jointTNTCtoo numerous to countTPNtotal parenteral nutritionTURPtransurethral resection of prostateTSEtesticular self- examinationUAurinalysiswhite female/black femaley/owithin normal limitsyears oldchange** appear on the JCAHO “Do Not Use” list – shouldwrite out “daily” or “every other day”Caution against using: or

THE B.U.R.P.S LIST Purpose: To become proficient in Building and Understanding Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes . Rationale: Building and understanding medical terminology is simpler when the words are broken down into roots, prefixes and suffixes. Steps: Review the B.U.R.P.S. tables and try to determine the definitions of the examples