Word-solving strategies · Topic 13 of 14
Prefixes
Number, Size & Position Prefixes
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Number, Size & Position Prefixes
A prefix at the front sets amount, size or place: hyper- too much, hypo- too little, sub- under, inter- between, intra- within.
Most-tested word parts
More word parts
Hyper- or hypo-?
Commonly confused| hyper- | hypo- | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Above normal, too much | Below normal, too little |
| Blood pressure | hypertension (high) | hypotension (low) |
| Blood sugar | hyperglycemia (high) | hypoglycemia (low) |
| Body temperature | hyperthermia (too hot) | hypothermia (too cold) |
Wrong-answer traps
Hyper- runs high and hypo- runs low: hypertension is high blood pressure, hypotension is low.
Sources · MedlinePlus (NLM) — Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 1.5 Prefixes · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 3.2 Prefixes for Diagnostic Procedures and Symptoms · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 3.1 Prefixes for Location · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 3.3 Prefixes for Number and Size · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 3.4 Additional Prefixes · Collins English Dictionary — omni- (combining form) · Collins English Dictionary — ectoparasite · Union Test Prep — HESI Vocabulary study guide, p. 1 (general prefixes, suffixes, roots) · Union Test Prep — HESI Vocabulary study guide, p. 3 (medical prefixes and suffixes) · Built from the verified NurseSavvy HESI A2 fact map (facts reviewed 2026-10-16). HESI is a trademark of Elsevier; NurseSavvy is not affiliated with Elsevier.
Negation, Time & Other Prefixes
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Negation, Time & Other Prefixes
Prefixes that negate or time a word: a-/an- without, anti- against, dys- difficult, brady- slow, tachy- fast.
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How to answer
Ante- or anti-?
Commonly confused| ante- | anti- | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Before, in front of | Against |
| Ends in | e | i |
| Example | antepartum (before birth) | antibiotic (against bacteria) |
| Another word | antecubital | antiseptic |
Wrong-answer traps
Brady- is slow and tachy- is fast: bradycardia is a slow heart, tachycardia a racing one.
Sources · MedlinePlus (NLM) — Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 1.5 Prefixes · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 3.2 Prefixes for Diagnostic Procedures and Symptoms · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 3.4 Additional Prefixes · Cambridge Dictionary — dis- (prefix) · Cambridge Dictionary — in- (prefix) · LibreTexts, The Language of Medical Terminology — 3.1 Prefixes for Location · Cambridge Dictionary — un- (prefix) · Cambridge Dictionary — non- (prefix) · Cambridge Dictionary — mis- (prefix) · Collins English Dictionary — co- (prefix) · Cambridge Dictionary — con- (prefix) · Collins English Dictionary — homeo- (combining form) · Union Test Prep — HESI Vocabulary study guide, p. 3 (medical prefixes and suffixes) · Union Test Prep — HESI Vocabulary study guide, p. 1 (general prefixes, suffixes, roots) · Open Exam Prep — HESI A2 study guide §3.2 Word Context & Usage · Union Test Prep — HESI Reading Comprehension study guide, p. 2 (context clues, word analysis) · Built from the verified NurseSavvy HESI A2 fact map (facts reviewed 2026-10-16). HESI is a trademark of Elsevier; NurseSavvy is not affiliated with Elsevier.
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HESI and HESI A2 are registered trademarks of Elsevier. NurseSavvy is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elsevier.