CPB (Certified Professional Biller) Certification Practice Exam

If a term ends with "-ia," what is its connotation?

1. A. Condition

2. B. Pertaining to

3. C. Ilum (hip bone)

4. D. Above, excessive

The correct answer is: A. Condition

When a term ends with "-ia," it typically denotes a condition, particularly in medical terminology. This suffix is commonly used to describe a state, disorder, or condition affecting an organ or system in the body. For example, the term "insomnia" refers to a condition characterized by difficulty sleeping. The other options represent different meanings: "pertaining to" would usually correlate with the suffix "-al" or "-ic," while "ilum" is not a suffix but rather a term part referring specifically to the ilium, a part of the hip bone. The prefix that indicates "above, excessive" is often related to "hyper." Thus, the use of "-ia" is essential in clinical contexts for establishing diagnoses or describing health-related conditions.