Medical definitions - C
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCannulas - a slender tube that can be inserted into a body cavity or duct.
Capillary - a blood vessel that carries blood between the smallest arteries and the smallest veins.
Capillary blood gas (CBG) - a blood gas drawn from a capillary blood vessel.
Carbon dioxide - a gas which is the byproduct of cellular metabolism and which collects in the tissues, is cleared from the tissues by the blood within the veins, is carried by the hemoglobin in the red blood cells, and removed from the body via the lungs in the exhaled air. Abbreviated CO2.
Catheter – a think flexible tube; used for giving blood products, nutrients, medications, or fluids; also inserted into the bladder to remove urine.
CBC – complete blood count; a measure of the cellular components of blood; generally includes white blood cell count, automated white cell differential, red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, red cell distributed width and platelet count.
cc – liquid measurement; 1 ounce=30 cc.
Central line – a catheter placed in a vein to end up in the chest portion of the vena cava or in the right atrium of the heart.
Chest physical therapy (CPT) – physical therapy performed by lightly hitting or vibrating the chest to loosen secretions and prevent pneumonia; not pleasant to watch, does not injure the patient in any way.
Chest tube – a tube surgically inserted into the chest cavity to drain fluid.
chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - a pre-natal test that is used to detect birth defects, genetic diseases, and other problems; a small sample of cells (called chorionic villi) is taken from the placenta where it attaches to the wall of the uterus.
Coagulate – to clot.
Congenital abnormality – a defect one is born with.
Conventional ventilator - a form of mechanical ventilation that delivers deeper breaths of air as opposed to the HFOV.
CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure; a face mask connected to a pump that forces air into the nasal passages at pressures high enough to overcome obstructions in the airway and stimulate normal breathing.
Crit – shortened form of hematocrit.
Culture – the propagation of microorganisms in a growth media. Any body tissue or fluid can be evaluated in the laboratory by culture techniques in order to detect and identify infectious processes. Culture techniques also are used to determine sensitivity to antibiotics.
Cyanotic - bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to not enough oxygen in the blood.
Cytotec – see also misoprostol; the brand name of a drug that some medical professionals still use to induce labor although it is contraindicated for use in pregnancy.