California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) Practice Test

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Prepare for the California Medical Assistants Test with helpful materials and multiple choice questions. Dive into topics with insights and explanations to excel in your exam confidently!

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What does the suffix "-oma" refer to?

  1. Inflammation

  2. Tumor

  3. Pain

  4. Incision

The correct answer is: Tumor

The suffix "-oma" specifically refers to a tumor or an abnormal growth of tissue. In medical terminology, this suffix is commonly used to denote a variety of tumors, both benign and malignant. For example, "lipoma" refers to a fatty tumor, and "carcinoma" indicates a type of malignant cancerous tumor. Understanding this suffix is crucial for medical assistants, as it aids in the recognition of various medical conditions and facilitates clear communication among healthcare professionals. The other choices, while they represent important medical concepts, do not align with the definition of "-oma." Inflammation is typically associated with the suffix "-itis," pain relates to the root "algesia," and incision correspondingly involves terms like "otomy." Thus, recognizing "-oma" as related to tumors is essential for accurately interpreting medical language and providing appropriate patient care.