Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

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Gear up for the Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Exam 2025. Study with interactive quizzes and multiple-choice questions with comprehensive explanations. Excel in your exam with our tailored preparation tools!

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Which prefix means "beside, beyond, or around"?

  1. Para-

  2. Hypo-

  3. Ex-

  4. Retro-

The correct answer is: Para-

The prefix that means "beside, beyond, or around" is indeed "para-." This prefix is commonly used in various medical and scientific terms where it signifies a position that is adjacent to or surrounding something else. For example, "paranormal" refers to phenomena that are beyond the normal or scientific understanding, while "paralysis" implies a condition that affects the ability to move, usually indicating an issue alongside the nervous system. In contrast, the other prefixes provided have different meanings: "hypo-" generally denotes a lower or under condition, "ex-" means out of or from, and "retro-" refers to something that is backward or in the past. These distinctions highlight the unique connotation of "para-" as it relates specifically to positioning or proximity.