what are the four steps involved with the card method of using greek and latin word components to break down the meanings of medical terms?
The four steps in the CARD method are:
- Check – Look at the medical term and identify all word parts (prefix, root, combining form, suffix), often by dividing it with slashes, e.g., oste/o/arthr/itis.
- Assign – Assign a simple meaning to each part (for example, oste = bone, arthr = joint, -itis = inflammation).
- Reverse – Reverse the order of the meanings so you usually start with the suffix meaning when forming a phrase (e.g., “inflammation of bone and joint”).
- Define – Put the reversed meanings together into a smooth, clear definition of the whole medical term in everyday language.
So, the CARD method stands for: Check, Assign, Reverse, Define.
