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What Does DRE Mean in Medical Terms?
DRE stands for digital rectal examination. Examination of the prostate and rectum with a gloved finger.
digital rectal examination
Examination of the prostate and rectum with a gloved finger.
Where you will see DRE
You will most often see DRE in kidney unit and dialysis charts, observation charts and bedside assessments.
Example
A chart note might use “DRE” as shorthand for digital rectal examination when documenting a patient's care.
Related abbreviations
- 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D — 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
- 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
- 4AT — 4 A's test
- A&O — alert and oriented
- A&P — auscultation and percussion
- ABMR — antibody-mediated rejection (activity)
- ABO incompatible — ABO-incompatible transplant (program)
- ABPI — ankle-brachial pressure index
Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.
Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.