PREFIX

PMLS REVIEWER Iso- = same Micro- = small Macro- = large

TERMINOLOGIES Intra- = inside/within Pseudo- = false Mono- = one
Most medical terms are derived from Greek and Latin Nano- = billionth Hypo- = decreased
words. Since clinical laboratory personnel are in Anaero- = without oxygen Homo- = same, like
constant communication with other health care Cyro- = cold Neo- = new
personnel, patients, and family members on the daily
ABBREVIATIONS
basis, they need to be familiar with abbreviations and Commonly encountered abbreviations in health care practice
meaning of common medical terms. that MT students should know:
A medical term has three basic parts– root word, the DOH - Department of Health
prefix, and the suffix. CHED - Commission on Higher Education
EXAMPLE: VDRL - Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
Colo – Colon Hemat – Blood AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Phlebo – Vein Air – Aero AIDs - Autoimmune disorders/disease
The prefix is found in the beginning of the term and it AMI - Acute Myocardial Infarction
BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen
shows how meaning is assigned to the word.
2PPBS - 2 hours Postprandial Blood Sugar
AFS - Acid Fast Stain
EXAMPLE PCQACL - Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in the
A-/an – without, absence poly – many clinical laboratories
Hyper – meaning increased/above FBS - Fasting Blood Sugar
pre – before IV - Intravenous
HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
On the other hand, the suffix is found at the terminal IU - International Unit
portion or at the end of the term. It also denotes the ICU - Intensive Care Unit
meaning to the root word. K - Potassium
NA – Sodium
NPO - Nothing Per Orem
Examples:
BAP - Blood Agar plate
-megaly – enlargement -emia – blood
-urea – urine -ostomy – to make an The Medical Technologist Licensure Examination is
opening or mouth Conducted in order to identify graduates who possess the
basic qualifications or the minimum conceptual skills and
It is a rule that if the suffix starts with a consonant, a technical competencies to perform the task with minimum
combining vowel needs to be used (usually the letter ). errors.
The combining vowel does not change the meaning of The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is the
the root word and is added in order to make the government agency, under the Office of the President of the
Philippines, tasked to administer licensure examinations to
pronunciation of the word easier. The combining vowel
different professionals. Meanwhile, the Professional
is added between the root word and the suffix. Regulatory Board (PRB) for Medical Technology/Medical
Laboratory Science, under the PRC, is tasked to prepare and
Example: administer the written licensure examinations for graduates
Hemat + logy - hematology – study of the blood qualified to take the examination. PRB is composed of a
Phlebo + tomy – the process of cutting into the vein chairperson, who must be a duly licensed pathologist, and
using a needle two members, who should be both registered medical
technologists. All members of the PRB are required to be
The plural form of medical terms is made by changing holders of PRC licenses. At present, the Medical Technologist
the end of the word and not by simply adding S, which Licensure Examination is given twice a year, on the months of
March and August.
follows the rule for irregular nouns.
Listed below are some of the provisions included in
Republic Act 5527, “The Medical Technology Act of 1969,” in
relation to the licensure examination:

ROOT WORDS
Cardio = heart Myo = muscle Arterio = artery
Cyto = cell Arthro = joint Heap/Hepato = liver
Pyo = pus Cranio = skull Thrombo = clot
Pyro = fever Nephro = kidney Osteo = bone
1. The courses included in the licensure examination and
their corresponding weights are as follows: The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was established
on May 18, 1994 through the passage of Republic Act No.
Clinical Chemistry 20% 7722, the Higher Education Act of 1992. CHED is the
Microbiology and Parasitology 20% government agency under the Office of the President of the
Hematology 20% Philippines that covers institutions of higher education both
Blood Banking and Immunology and Serology 20% public and private.
Clinical Microscopy 10% Under CHED is the Technical Committee for Medical
Histopathologic Techniques 10% Technology Education (TCMTE) which is composed of leading
(MTLaws and bioethics and Laboratory Management – not academicians and practitioners responsible for assisting the
written in R.A. 5527, but are now included in the board exam) Commission in setting standards among institutions offering
Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Medical
2. To pass the exam, an examine must: Laboratory Science program and in monitoring and
• receive a general weighted average of 75%, evaluating such institutions.
• have no rating below 50% in any major courses, and
• pass in at least 60% of the courses computed according to •4 year program
their relative weights. •consists of general education and professional courses -
students are expected to complete within the first 3 years -
3. If an examinee passed the examination and is 21 years old 4th year is dedicated to internship training
and above. He or she will be issued a certificate of •in CHED accredited training laboratories affiliated with their
registration and a PRC card as a licensed medical college - CHED issued guidelines for institutions offering
technologist. BSMT/BSMLS
If an examinee is younger than 21 years old, he or she will •CHED Memorandum Order No. 13 series of 2017 - contains
register as a professional after his or her 21st birthday. goals, program outcomes, performance indicators and the
minimum course offerings - compliant with the K-12
4. If an examinee failed to pass the licensure examination curriculum.
three times, he or she needs to enroll in a refresher course
before retaking the examination. General Education (GE) course offerings cut across different
programs. GE courses aim to develop humane individuals
5. If an examinee failed to pass the examination but garnered that have a deeper sense of self and acceptance of others.
a general weighted average of 70%-74%, he or she may apply The general courses included in the new CMO are
for certification as a medical laboratory technician.
1. Understanding the Self
Curriculum comes from the Latin word currere which means 2. Readings in Philippine History
to run. 3. The Contemporary World
According to the Glossary of Educational Reforms, curriculum 4. Mathematics in the Modern World
refers to the knowledge and skills students are expected to 5. Purposive Communication
learn, which include learning standards or learning objectives 6. The Life and Works of Rizal
they expected to meet; 7. Science, Technology, and Society
8. Art Appreciation
Curriculum refers to the means and materials with which 9. Ethics
students interact for the purpose of achieving identified
educational outcomes. Professional courses are taken for learners to develop the
knowledge, technical competence, professional attitude, and
According to John Dewey, curriculum is the “continuous values necessary to practice and meet demands of the
reconstruction, moving from the child’s present experience profession. Some of the professional courses are
out into that represented by the organized bodies of truth
that we call studies… the various studies… are themselves 1. Principles of Medical Laboratory Science 1: Introduction to
experience-they are that of the race.” Medical Laboratory Science, Laboratory Safety, and Waste
Management
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was established This course deals with the basic concepts and
on May 18, 1994 through the passage of Republic Act No. principles related to the Medical Technology/Medical
7722, the Higher Education Act of 1992. CHED is the Laboratory Science profession. Its emphasis is on the
government agency under the Office of the President of the curriculum, practice of the profession, clinical laboratories,
Philippines that covers institutions of higher education both continuing professional education, biosafety practices, and
public and private. waste management.
Under CHED is the Technical Committee for Medical
Technology Education (TCMTE) which is composed of leading 2. Principles of Medical Laboratory Science 2: Clinical
academicians and practitioners responsible for assisting the Laboratory Assistance and Phlebotomy
Commission in setting standards among institutions offering Clinical Laboratory Assistance encompasses the
Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Medical concepts and principles of the different assays performed in
Laboratory Science program and in monitoring and the clinical laboratory. Phlebotomy deals with the basic
evaluating such institutions.
concepts, Principles, and application of the standard Some of the procedures and tests that students
procedures in the blood collection, transport, and processing. perform for the laboratory component of the course in
a school-based laboratory are
3. Community and Public Heath for MT/MLS  Preparation of culture media
This course involves the study of the foundation of
 Collection of specimen
community health that include human ecology, demography,
and epidemiology. It emphasize the promotion of  Preparation of bacterial smear
community, public, and environmental health and the  Staining of smear
immersion and interaction of students with people in the  Inoculation of specimen on culture media
community.  Characterization of colonies of bacteria growing in
culture media
4. Cytogenetics 8. Clinical Parasitology
This course is focused on the study of the concepts This course is concerned with the study of
and principles of heredity and inheritance which include animal parasites in humans and their medical
genetic phenomena, sex determination, and genetic defects
significance in the country. Its emphasis is on the
rooted in inheritance, among others. It also discusses the
pathophysiology, epidemiology, life cycle, prevention
abnormalities and genetic disorders involving the
chromosomes and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Emphasis is and control, and the identification of ova and/or adult
given to the analysis of nucleic acids and their application to worms and other forms seen in specimens submitted
medical science. for diagnostic purposes.

5. Human Histology 9. Immunohematology and Blood Bank

This course deals with the study of the fundamentals This course tackles the concept of inheritance,
of cells, tissues, and organs with emphasis on microscopic characterization, and laboratory identification of red
structures, characteristics, differences, and functions. cells antigens and their corresponding antibodies.

Some of the procedures and tests that studentsperform

4. Cytogenetics
This course is focused on the study of the concepts for the laboratory component of the course in a school-
and principles of heredity and inheritance which include based laboratory are
genetic phenomena, sex determination, and genetic defects  Compatibility testing
rooted in inheritance, among others. It also discusses the  Transfusion reaction work-up
abnormalities and genetic disorders involving the  Blood donation process
chromosomes and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Emphasis is
given to the analysis of nucleic acids and their application to 10. Mycology and Virology
medical science. This course deals with the study of fungi and
viruses as agents of diseases with emphasis on
5. Human Histology
This course deals with the study of the fundamentals
epidemiology, laboratory identification and
of cells, tissues, and organs with emphasis on microscopic characterization, and prevention and control.
structures, characteristics, differences, and functions.
11. Laboratory Management
This course looks into the concepts of
laboratory management which are planning, organizing,
staffing, directing, and controlling as applied in clinical
laboratory setting.

12. Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

This course encompasses various laws,
administrative orders, and other approved legal
documents related to the practice of Medical
Technology/Medical Laboratory Science in the
Philippines.
7. Clinical Bacteriology Bioethics looks into the study of ethics as
This course deals with the study of the applied to health and health care delivery and to
physiology and morphology of bacteria and their role in human life in general.
infection and immunity. It’s emphasis is on the
collection of specimen and the isolation and 13. Hematology 1
identification of bacteria. This course deals with the study of the concepts
of blood as a tissue. Formation metabolism of cells,
laboratory assays, correlation with pathologic
conditions, special hematology evaluation are given
emphasis. Research 2: Research Paper Writing and Presentation
It covers the methodology of the research,
14. Hematology 2 writing the research paper in the format prescribed by
This course deals with the concepts and the institution and international research agencies for
principles of hemostasis, and abnormalities involving possible publication, and presentation of the finished
red blood cells (RBC). While white blood cells (WBC), and completed research in a formal forum.
and platelets. Laboratory identification of blood cell
abnormalities, quantitative measurement of CLINICAL INTERNSHIP TRAINING
coagulation factors, and disease correlation are This intensive training aims to apply the theoretical
emphasized. aspects of the profession into practice. Students are
assigned to CHED-accredited clinical laboratories
15. Clinical Microscopy affiliated with their academic institution on a 6-month
This course focuses on the study of urine and or one-year rotation. This rotation ensures that all
other body fluids (excluding blood). It includes the students experience to work in the different sections of
discussion of their formation, laboratory analyses, a clinical laboratory, namely clinical chemistry,
disease processes, and clinical correlation of laboratory hematology, blood banking, clinical microscopy,
results. parasitology, microbiology, immunology and serology,
cytology and other emergent technologies.
16. Clinical Chemistry 1
This course encompasses the concepts and The intern is required to render 32 hours of duty per
principles of physiologically active soluble substances week not exceeding a total of 1,664 hours in one year.
and waste materials present in body fluids, particularly This is broken down per section as follows (based on
in the blood. The study includes formation, laboratory CMO 13 s. 2017):
analyses, reference values and clinical correlation with
pathologic conditions. Clinical chemistry 300 hours
Clinical microscopy and Parasitology 200 hours
17. Clinical Chemistry 2 Microbiology 250 hours
This course is a continuation of Clinical Hematology 300 hours
Chemistry 1 and deals with the concepts and principles Blood banking 200 hours
of physiologically active soluble substances and waste Histopathologic techniques and Cytology 100 hours
materials present in body fluids, particularly in the Immunology and Serology 220 hours
blood. It also covers the study of endocrine glands and Laboratory Management 40 hours
hormones and their formation, laboratory analyses and Phlebotomy 54 hours
clinical correlation. TOTAL 1,664 hours

18. Seminars 1 and 2

This course is taken during the student’s fourth
year in the program together with the internship
training. It deals with current laboratory analyses used
in the practice of medical technology.

19. Molecular Biology and Diagnostics

Molecular Biology deals with the nucleic acid
and protein molecule interaction within the cell to
promote proper growth, cell division, and development.
It covers protein synthesis, and gene regulation.
This course is focused on the concepts,
principles, and application of molecular techniques as
tools in the diagnosis of diseases.

RESEARCH COURSES
Research 1: Introduction to Laboratory Science
Research
It deals with the basic concepts and principles
of research as applied in Medical Technology/Clinical
Laboratory Science.