American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What prefix would you use to describe something that happens after or behind?

1. Pro-

2. Diá-

3. Post-

4. Ante-

The correct answer is: Post-

The prefix that describes something happening after or behind is "post-." This prefix is derived from Latin, where "post" means "after." It is used in various terms to indicate something that follows in time or order. For instance, "postoperative" refers to the period after a surgical operation, and "postgraduate" pertains to studies undertaken after completing an undergraduate degree. The other prefixes provided serve different meanings: "pro-" generally means "before" or "in favor of," indicating precedence rather than a subsequent occurrence. "Diá-" can suggest crossing or through, typically used in contexts involving separation or division. "Ante-" means "before," indicating an earlier time or position. Each of these prefixes conveys a sense of timing or order distinct from what "post-" conveys.