Category: C
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Cast-brace
A lower extremity cast that is open and hinged at the knee joint. It can be used to treat femoral fractures.
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Caseload
The total number of patients managed by a particular health care professional or agency.
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Casefinding
An active attempt to identify persons who have a certain disease.
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Case control
A form of research in which patients with a disease are compared with closely matched individuals who do not have the disease. It is used to uncover risk factors or exposures that may produce illness.
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Caseate
To undergo cheesy degeneration, as in certain necroses.
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Casal necklace
Bilaterally symmetrical lesions of the neck that represent a portion of the skin’s involvement in pellagra. The lesions begin as erythemas and progress to vesiculation and crusting. A distinctive red rash that forms a well-defined ring around the neck is a characteristic symptom of pellagra, a condition caused by a deficiency of the B vitamin…
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Carver
A knife or other instrument used to fashion or shape an object. In dentistry, it is used with artificial teeth or dental restorations.
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Carve-out
In managed care, a service or benefit for a specific disease, condition, or population that is contracted for separately from the rest of a health insurance plan. Carve-outs typically are used in managed care contracts to identify the costs associated with especially expensive forms of care, such as mental health or substance abuse services.
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Carvedilol
A beta- and alpha-blocking drug that can be used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
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Carvallo’s sign
An increase in intensity of the presystolic murmur heard in patients with tricuspid stenosis during inspiration, and its decrease during expiration. This is best demonstrated with the patient in an erect position.