CFPC Exam (CCFP) key terms

The estimated chance that a patient has a given condition before any test is done, based on history, risk factors, and physical findings. It guides whether testing will meaningfully change management and how a result should be interpreted.

A ratio comparing how often a test result occurs in people with a disease versus those without it. Values far from 1 shift post-test probability substantially; values near 1 add little information.

The proportion of people who truly have a condition and are correctly identified by a test. A highly sensitive test is useful for ruling out disease when negative, because few true cases are missed.

The proportion of people without a condition who are correctly identified as disease-free by a test. A highly specific test is useful for ruling in disease when positive, since false positives are uncommon.

The probability that a person with a positive test result actually has the condition. It rises as disease prevalence in the tested population rises, so it cannot be transferred between settings with different prevalence.

The number of patients who must receive an intervention for one additional person to benefit over a stated period. It is the reciprocal of the absolute risk reduction and conveys real-world magnitude of benefit.

The number of patients who must be exposed to an intervention for one additional person to experience an adverse outcome. Comparing it with the number needed to treat helps weigh benefits against harms.

The arithmetic difference in event rates between control and treatment groups, expressed as a percentage or proportion. Unlike relative risk reduction, it reflects the actual size of benefit a patient may expect.

A validated tool combining history, examination, and sometimes test findings to estimate the probability of a diagnosis or outcome. It is only trustworthy after prospective validation in a population similar to the one being assessed.

A decision aid stating that ankle radiography is unnecessary if there is no tenderness at the posterior malleolus or medial malleolus, no tenderness at the navicular or fifth metatarsal base, and the patient can bear weight four steps.

A validated rule identifying which adults with minor head injury need computed tomography. Imaging is indicated with findings such as vomiting, age 65 or older, amnesia, dangerous mechanism, or signs of basal skull fracture.

A 3-to-15 scoring system summing eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Scores of 13 to 15 indicate mild injury, 9 to 12 moderate, and 8 or less severe, prompting airway protection.

Sepsis with persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain mean arterial pressure and a raised lactate despite adequate fluid resuscitation. It carries high mortality and demands early antibiotics and source control.

A bedside screen scoring one point each for respiratory rate 22 or more, altered mentation, and systolic blood pressure 100 mmHg or less. A score of 2 or more in suspected infection prompts assessment for organ dysfunction.

A hyperglycemic emergency with insulin deficiency, ketone production, and metabolic acidosis. It presents with polyuria, vomiting, abdominal pain, and Kussmaul breathing, and is treated with fluids, insulin, and potassium replacement.

Marked hyperglycemia with profound hyperosmolality and dehydration but minimal ketosis, typically in older adults with type 2 diabetes. Mortality exceeds that of ketoacidosis, and treatment centres on aggressive fluid resuscitation.

The difference between measured cations and anions, calculated as sodium minus chloride minus bicarbonate. A raised gap with acidosis suggests accumulation of unmeasured acids such as ketones, lactate, or toxins.

An irregularly irregular supraventricular rhythm with absent P waves and chaotic atrial activity. Management addresses rate or rhythm control and stroke prevention, with anticoagulation chosen using a validated thromboembolic risk score.

A stroke-risk score in atrial fibrillation awarding points for heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, prior stroke, vascular disease, and female sex. Higher scores favour anticoagulation, balancing bleeding risk.

A clinical syndrome of breathlessness, fatigue, and fluid retention caused by impaired cardiac filling or output. Diagnosis combines symptoms, signs, and natriuretic peptide testing, with ejection fraction guiding therapy.

Elevated blood pressure arising before or during pregnancy, classified as chronic, gestational, or preeclampsia with or without severe features. Distinguishing these matters because preeclampsia requires closer surveillance and timed delivery.

New hypertension after 20 weeks' gestation with proteinuria or maternal organ dysfunction such as renal, hepatic, neurologic, or hematologic involvement. Delivery is the definitive treatment, timed according to gestational age and severity.

A severe variant of preeclampsia marked by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. It may present with right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and malaise, and requires urgent obstetric assessment and delivery planning.

A medication given intravenously to prevent or treat eclamptic seizures in preeclampsia with severe features. Toxicity is monitored through reflexes, respiratory rate, and urine output, with calcium gluconate as the antidote.

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, usually detected by screening at 24 to 28 weeks. Treatment with diet, activity, and sometimes insulin reduces macrosomia and other perinatal complications.

Excessive blood loss after delivery, commonly defined as more than 500 mL after vaginal birth or 1000 mL after cesarean. Uterine atony is the leading cause, and management proceeds through massage, uterotonics, and escalation.

Bacterial throat infection causing sore throat, fever, tonsillar exudate, and tender anterior cervical nodes, without cough or coryza. Confirmation by rapid antigen test or culture guides antibiotic use to prevent rheumatic fever.

Middle ear infection with bulging, erythematous tympanic membrane, often after a viral upper respiratory illness. Diagnosis requires middle-ear effusion plus acute inflammation; many cases in older children are observed without antibiotics.

A viral lower respiratory infection of infants, most often respiratory syncytial virus, causing wheeze, crackles, and increased work of breathing. Treatment is supportive, with oxygen and hydration; bronchodilators and steroids are not routinely recommended.

Viral laryngotracheitis producing a barking cough, hoarse voice, and inspiratory stridor, typically in children under six. A single dose of dexamethasone helps, with nebulized epinephrine for moderate or severe stridor at rest.

A febrile vasculitis of young children diagnosed by fever lasting five days or more plus features such as conjunctivitis, rash, mucosal changes, extremity changes, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Coronary artery involvement makes prompt treatment essential.

A persistent low mood or loss of interest with associated sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and suicidal symptoms lasting at least two weeks and causing impairment. Treatment combines psychotherapy and antidepressant medication according to severity.

A nine-item self-report questionnaire scoring the frequency of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. Scores of 10 or more suggest probable moderate depression, and item nine screens for suicidal ideation.

A mood disorder with episodes of mania or hypomania, often alternating with depression. It is distinguished from unipolar depression by elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity, because antidepressants alone can trigger mania.

A potentially life-threatening toxicity from serotonergic drugs causing agitation, tremor, clonus, hyperreflexia, fever, and autonomic instability. Recognition and stopping the offending agents are urgent, with supportive care and sometimes cyproheptadine.

A collaborative conversation style that strengthens a patient's own motivation and confidence for change by exploring ambivalence without confrontation. It is used for smoking, alcohol, and other behavioural health issues in primary care.