Which prefix indicates less than normal in a physiological parameter?

Which prefix indicates less than normal in a physiological parameter?

• A. Hyper
• B. Omo
• C. Costo
• D. Hypo

Answer: (D)

Understanding prefixes that describe how a physiological value compares to normal helps decode these terms. hypo- means below or deficient, so when it’s attached to a parameter, it indicates the value is lower than normal—think hypothermia (low body temperature), hypotension (low blood pressure), or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). The opposite prefix, hyper-, means above normal, describing values that are higher than normal, such as hyperglycemia or hypertension. The other two prefixes here aren’t about levels of a physiological parameter: omo- relates to the shoulder region, and costo- to the ribs. They don’t convey a sense of “less than normal,” so they don’t fit the question.

Understanding prefixes that describe how a physiological value compares to normal helps decode these terms. hypo- means below or deficient, so when it’s attached to a parameter, it indicates the value is lower than normal—think hypothermia (low body temperature), hypotension (low blood pressure), or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). The opposite prefix, hyper-, means above normal, describing values that are higher than normal, such as hyperglycemia or hypertension. The other two prefixes here aren’t about levels of a physiological parameter: omo- relates to the shoulder region, and costo- to the ribs. They don’t convey a sense of “less than normal,” so they don’t fit the question.