American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What is the meaning of the suffix "-graph"?

1. A tool for measurement

2. An act of recording data

3. An instrument for recording data

4. A record of information

The correct answer is: An instrument for recording data

The suffix "-graph" derives from the Greek word "graphia," which means "to write" or "to draw." Therefore, in the context of medical terminology, "-graph" refers specifically to an instrument or device that is used to record data. This could pertain to various medical imaging devices and instruments that capture and display data in a visual format, such as a cardiograph, which records the electrical activity of the heart. In contrast, the act of recording data pertains more closely to the options that involve actions or processes rather than the tools themselves. While the act of recording (as mentioned in one of the other choices) accurately describes what happens during the use of a graph, it does not identify the tangible instrument responsible for that recording. Thus, while various meanings related to the collection and presentation of information are intertwined in medical contexts, the specific use of "-graph" highlights that it refers to the tool designed for this purpose.