GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsReading ComprehensionEasy
A medical professional is reading a patient's chart. The chart notes a history of 'tachycardia.' Based on common medical terminology, what does 'tachycardia' indicate?
- ADifficulty breathing.
- BAbnormally low blood pressure.
- CA fast heart rate.
- DA slow heart rate.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. A fast heart rate.
In medical terminology, 'tachy-' is a prefix meaning fast or rapid, and '-cardia' refers to the heart. Therefore, 'tachycardia' means a fast heart rate.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This refers to dyspnea, not heart rate.
- B. This refers to hypotension, not heart rate.
- D. This would be bradycardia (brady- meaning slow).
Medical Terminology: Tachycardia
A condition in which the heart beats too fast, typically defined as over 100 beats per minute.
- Prefix 'tachy-' means fast or rapid.
- Root '-cardia' refers to the heart.
- Opposite of bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Memory trick: Prefixes predict problems.