Choose the correct one-word substitution for:
"A doctor who treats children."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
Pediatrician
Explanation
The question asks for the correct one-word medical term for a doctor who specializes in treating infants, children, and adolescents.
Let's break down the etymology (root words) of the options to see why "Pediatrician" is correct:
The word Pediatrician comes from two Greek roots: pais meaning "child" and iatros meaning "healer" or "physician." Together with the suffix -ician (a specialist), it literally translates to a specialist who heals children.
Let's look at what the other medical specialists treat:
Cardiologist comes from the Greek root kardia (heart). A cardiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the cardiovascular system, including the heart and blood vessels.
Neurologist comes from the Greek root neuron (nerve). A neurologist specializes in treating disorders of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Gynecologist comes from the Greek root gyne (woman). A gynecologist specializes in the health of the female reproductive system.
Because the root word for children specifically points to pediatrics, Option 2 is the correct choice.
Key Points
To easily score marks on medical one-word substitutions in competitive exams, try to memorize common Greek and Latin roots.
The root "ped-" can sometimes be tricky because it has two completely different historical meanings: in Greek, it means "child" (as seen in pediatrician or pedagogy), while in Latin, it means "foot" (as seen in pedestrian or pedal). Checking the context of the medical field will always help you distinguish between the two.