Question

multiple choice question

what is the main term for the diagnosis of complete paralysis?

paraplegic
complete
supplementary
paralysis

Explanation:

Analyze the diagnostic phrase

The diagnostic statement provided is "complete paralysis." In medical coding (such as ICD-10-CM), we must locate the main term in the Alphabetic Index to find the correct code.

Identify the main term

Using Medical Terminology principles, the main term is the word that identifies the disease, condition, sign, symptom, or anatomical site. Adjectives like "complete" or "supplementary" describe the condition but are not the condition itself. Therefore, the condition is "paralysis," making it the main term.

Evaluate the given options

• Paraplegic: This is a specific type of paralysis (paralysis of the lower half of the body), which is a subterm rather than the main term for the general diagnosis of "complete paralysis."
• Complete: This is an adjective describing the severity or extent of the condition (a modifier), not the main term.
• Supplementary: This is an administrative or descriptive modifier, not a medical condition.
• Paralysis: This is the primary disease/condition noun, which serves as the main term in the index.

Answer:

• Paraplegic
• Complete
• Supplementary
• Paralysis (Correct answer)