DRE
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Digital rectal exam |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Government & Politics |
DRE has two meanings. It stands for Digital rectal exam (nephrology & urology) or Drug recognition expert (police).
Meanings of DRE at a glance
| # | DRE stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital rectal exam | Medical › Nephrology & Urology |
| 2 | Drug recognition expert | Government & Politics › Police |
1. Digital rectal exam
Medical · Nephrology & Urology Abbreviations
Physical examination in which a gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum to feel the prostate, rectal wall and anal canal. Urologists assess prostate size, nodules and firmness, while GI and emergency clinicians check for blood, masses and tone.
Example: DRE: smooth, symmetric, mildly enlarged prostate without nodules; guaiac negative.
"Digital" refers to the finger. A palpable prostate nodule may warrant biopsy even with a normal PSA. DRE alone is no longer recommended as a prostate cancer screening test because of limited accuracy. Rectal tone is assessed in suspected spinal cord compression.
2. Drug recognition expert
Government & Politics · Police Abbreviations
Police officer specially trained to evaluate drivers suspected of drug impairment using a standardized 12-step evaluation that includes vital signs, pupil checks and divided-attention tests. The program originated with the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1970s.
Example: A DRE concluded the driver was impaired by a central nervous system depressant.
The program is now coordinated nationally by the International Association of Chiefs of Police with NHTSA support. DRE evaluations have become more important as cannabis legalization spreads, since there is no breath test for THC impairment. Toxicology tests confirm which drugs were present.
Related abbreviations
More nephrology & urology abbreviations
- CRRT – Continuous renal replacement therapy
- CVVH – Continuous venovenous hemofiltration
- CVVHDF – Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration
- DKD – Diabetic kidney disease
- ED – Erectile dysfunction
- ESKD – End-stage kidney disease
- ESRD – End-stage renal disease
- ESWL – Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
See all 71 nephrology & urology abbreviations →
More police abbreviations
- DCI – Detective Chief Inspector
- Det. – Detective
- DI – Detective Inspector
- DOA – Dead on arrival
- DS – Detective Sergeant
- DUI – Driving under the influence
- DV – Domestic violence
- DWI – Driving while intoxicated
See all 84 police abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.