Terminology

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), commonly termed heart bypass surgery, involves creating an alternative channel to improve blood flow to the heart when a coronary artery is blocked.

The College Advisory Forum on the Environment (CAFE) is comprised of fellows, members and staff of the RCPE. It aims to support the College's strategies and aims regarding climate change.

RCPE CAFE

10 things a doctor can do to combat climate change

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a pneumonia developed by a person with little contact with the healthcare system - in contrast with HAP.

NICE Guideline (NG138) - Pneumonia (community-acquired): antimicrobial prescribing

BMJ Best Practice - CAP

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a form of dialysis which happens throughout the day/night, in which the person drains and exchanges their own fluid. 

During CAPD, dialysis fluid is left in the peritoneal cavity for 4-6 hours to allow waste products from the blood to accumulate. The fluid is then drained out. Fluid can be left overnight.

The other form of peritoneal dialysis is APD.

CAPD is an example of RRT.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psycho-social 'talking therapy' focussing on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and behaviour. CBT teaches coping strategies.

Patient.info - CBT

Congestive cardiac failure (CCF, or congestive heart failure, CHF) refers to combined left and right heart failure.

Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) confirms that a doctor has completed an approved training programme in the UK and is eligible for entry onto the specialist register (or GP register).

CESR provides an alternative route to the specialist register.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a public health institute of the United States.

Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) provides a route for doctors who do not hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to gain entry onto the Specialist Register.

RCPE information on CESR

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that mostly affects the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and GI tract.

CF typically leads to frequent lung infections, sinus infections, poor growth, fatty stool, and infertility in males due to congenital absence of the vas deferens.

There is no cure. CF is managed with pulmonary rehabilitation, antibiotics, mucolytics (drugs that loosen and thin mucus) and pancreatic enzyme replacement; lung transplantation may be considered. Ivacaftor may also be considered.

NICE Guideline (NG78) - Cystic fibrosis: Diagnosis and management

Coronary heart disease (CHD), previously called ischaemic heart disease (IHD), occurs when the coronary arteries are narrowed by a build-up of fatty material within their walls, limiting oxygen delivery to the heart.

NB: CHD may also refer to congenital heart disease.

BHF - Coronary heart disease

Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) are learning outcomes for internal medicine training (IMT) that cover the key professional activities expected of a fully-trained physician.

Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare and fatal degenerative brain disorder. CJD is a prion disease and there are four main types: 

• Sporadic CJD: the most common type, the precise cause is unclear
• Variant CJD: caused by consuming BSE-infected beef
• Familial or inherited CJD
• Iatrogenic CJD

Creatinine kinase (CK) is an enzyme expressed by various tissues, particularly in muscles.

CK is measured as a marker of damage of CK-rich tissue such as in rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and muscular dystrophy. CK used to be used to diagnose MI but has been replaced by troponin.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is typically staged - mild-moderate (stages 1-3) and severe (stages 4/5) CKD.

NICE CKS - Chronic kidney disease

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a type of blood cancer that affects B lymphocytes and tends to progress slowly over many years.

CLL mostly affects people over the age of 60.

CLL is often asymptomatic and found on routine blood tests.

Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, if needed.

Cancer Research UK - CLL

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a type of blood cancer where too many myeloid cells are produced – immature white blood cells that are not fully developed and do not work properly.

CML tends to progress slowly over many years.

CML can occur at any age, but is most common in older adults around 60-65 years of age.

The main treatment for CML are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib.

CML is classically associated with the Philadelphia chromosome.

Cancer Research UK - CML

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that is usually harmless (but poses a risk to developing babies and people with immunodeficiency). CMV persists for life.

CNS refers to the central nervous system , consisting of the brain and spinal cord (in contrast to the PNS, the peripheral nervous system).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

NICE CKS - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Continuing professional development (CPD), colloquially termed 'lifelong learning', is an important part of every physicianly career.

RCPE provides its Fellows and Members with access to the online CPD Diary, to maintain a personal and validated record of CPD activities on an annual basis.

RCPE educational events are CPD accredited/approved.

RCPE - CPD

GMC - CPD

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving intervention for cardiac arrest.

How to do CPR

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England.

The CQC monitors, inspects and regulates hospitals, GP practices, hospices, care homes and other services including mental health, dental care and the ambulance service.

CQC website

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colourless fluid found in the brain and spinal cord.

CSF can be obtained by lumbar puncture (LP). LP can determine intracranial pressure and CSF analysis (colour, cell contents, chemical composition, presence of pathogens) can help to diagnose a number of neurological conditions.

Computerised tomography (CT, as in CT/CAT scan) uses several X-ray images and computer processing to create cross-sectional images of the body.

Radiopaedia - CT

CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is a commonly performed diagnostic test to exclude PE (acute or chronic), which uses CT angiography to obtain an image of the pulmonary arteries.

Radiopaedia - CTPA

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a diagnosis for a metastatic cancer (a cancer that has spread) with an unclear site of origin (the original 'primary' cancer is unknown).

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is synonymous with stroke.

The Chest X-ray (CXR, more accurately chest radiograph) is a common radiological investigation used to diagnose conditions affecting the lungs and chest.

An erect CXR (a CXR taken when the patient is standing) may be used to confirm diagnosis of bowel perforation.

Radiopaedia - Systematic chest radiograph assessment (approach)