In medical shorthand, what does Hyper indicate regarding a measurement?

• A. Above normal
• B. Below normal
• C. Normal
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Hyper indicates that a measurement is higher than the normal range. The prefix hyper- means excessive or above normal, as in hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypertension (high blood pressure). So a measurement described with hyper is above normal, not below normal, not normal, and not unknown. (Below normal would use hypo-, normal is within the expected range, and unknown would be indeterminate.)