CC (chief complaint)
Formal Definition
The patient's primary symptom or concern in their own words — the reason they came to the hospital.
How It's Used on the Ward
"What's the CC?" — asked every time, every presentation.
Example
"CC: 'My chest feels heavy and I'm sweating a lot.' This 58-year-old man presents with crushing substernal chest pressure, diaphoresis, and nausea."
Clinical Context
The CC should be in the patient's own words where possible. "Chest pain" is fine; "crushing substernal chest pain" is better. The CC frames everything that follows — a fuzzy CC means a fuzzy presentation.
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