Which directional term means more toward the head or above another structure?

Choice A rationale:

A pulse rating of 2+ is not considered an expected finding. It indicates a weaker pulse, which requires further assessment.

Choice B rationale:

A pulse rated as 2+ means the pulse is full volume and bounding. In clinical practice, a 2+ pulse is considered normal and signifies a pulse that is easily palpable and has a normal strength. This is an essential finding for the nurse to understand because it reflects the circulatory status of the client. A 2+ pulse suggests adequate perfusion and a healthy heart pumping blood effectively.

Choice C rationale:

A pulse rating of increased and strong corresponds to a higher numeric value on the scale, indicating a stronger pulse. A 2+ pulse is not categorized as increased but is rather a moderate strength pulse.

Choice D rationale:

A pulse rating of 2+ does not suggest an absent pulse. An absent pulse would mean that no pulse can be felt, which is a critical situation requiring immediate medical attention.

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.