American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Which prefix means "through" or "complete" in a medical context?

1. Ad-

2. Per-

3. Ante-

4. Mon/o

The correct answer is: Per-

The prefix that means "through" or "complete" in a medical context is found in the choice that best corresponds to this meaning, which is derived from Latin. The prefix "per-" signifies a sense of being thorough or complete, as seen in terms like "permeate," implying movement through a substance completely. In medical terminology, "per-" can help describe processes that are exhaustive or inclusive. The other prefixes convey different meanings; "ad-" typically indicates movement toward or in the direction of something, "ante-" refers to something that comes before or in front of, and "mon/o" denotes a singular or one aspect, which does not align with the definition of "through" or "complete." Thus, the context and origin of the prefix "per-" clearly define its role in medical terms, emphasizing thoroughness and completeness.