The suffix -emia refers to which type of condition?

• A. Bleeding
• B. Blood condition
• C. Heart condition
• D. Infection

Answer: (B)

Think of suffixes that name kinds of conditions. The ending -emia signals a condition of the blood or a state in the bloodstream. It tells you something about the blood itself, not about bleeding or about a specific organ like the heart. That’s why terms such as anemia (low red blood cells), hyperemia (increased blood in an area), and bacteremia (bacteria in the blood) fit this pattern. The idea of bleeding uses a different root (such as hemorrhage), heart conditions use cardio-related endings, and infection is usually indicated by -itis or, when specifically involving the blood, septicemia rather than just -emia. So -emia is best understood as a blood condition.