So this is the week we all start studying in earnest.  I think as we tried to explain that we all come at this from different angles.  So I personally think Basic ENT is a breeze because I have been around it for so long. Then HR (while I still do it daily), I would have to study harder to make sure I have the different laws straight, etc.   I think you will find the same.  Some areas will be easy while others will require more studying etc.

I would definitely go old school here and use one of the tips that Peggy stated last week and put the concepts that you need to review on note cards and use them like flash cards while you are watching TV or waiting for car pool duty, or waiting in the grocery store line.  Studying in bite size bits will make it less of a hassle and you will retain it better.

Okay so what do you need to know for Basic ENT?  Basic ENT makes up 10% of the test or 15 questions.

How many of you are familiar with the ENT terminology, ENT procedures and drugs used in ENT?

For example, do you know what a laryngectomy is? Do you know what drugs are used to treat acute sinusitis? Do you know what an otoscope is used for?

Let's start with terminology? In the beginning of the Otolaryngology Resource Manual, there are prefixes, suffixes and roots or stems. By learning the prefixes, suffixes and roots, you can dissect just about any medical word and have a good idea of what they are talking about. For example laryngectomy uses laryng(o) which means larynx or voice box, and -ectomy as the suffix which means to cut out or remove. Therefore laryngectomy then means to cut out the larynx or removal of the larynx. If hemi- is a prefix for half, then what is a hemi-laryngectomy? Removal of half of the larynx. If you are doing a supraglottic laryngectomy and supra- means above, then what would a supraglottic laryngectomy then mean. Removal of the larynx above the glottis. Does it make sense? Keep going......what is sinusitis if -itis is inflammation of? That is right - Inflammation of the sinus. So review the terminology associated with ENT and you should be well on your way to success. Let me know if you have questions.

Now hopefully, you aren’t already worried.   We definitely don’t expect a medical degree but as a minimally competent administrator/manager, you should have an idea what the root oto- means?  

What does the root oto- mean?

      a) ear

                        b) nose

                        c) throat

                        d) neck

This is what a test question will look like?  The question and then four answers.   Remember you will always guess, if you don’t know or if you think there is more than one possible answers, choose the BEST one.   On the question above the answer is a – ear.    Did you get it correct?

Can anyone else make up a question that might show up on this part of the test?

 Feel free to ask testing questions to one another and ask me any questions as well.