RTA
Medical abbreviation · Nephrology & Urology
| Stands for | Renal tubular acidosis |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
RTA stands for Renal tubular acidosis, a nephrology & urology abbreviation.
Group of disorders in which the kidney tubules fail to excrete acid or reclaim bicarbonate, producing a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis. Type 1 (distal) causes kidney stones and low potassium, type 2 (proximal) involves bicarbonate wasting, and type 4 features high potassium from aldosterone deficiency or resistance.
Example: Normal anion gap acidosis, potassium 5.9, diabetic nephropathy: type 4 RTA, start fludrocortisone.
Usage notes
Type 4 is the most common form in adults, especially with diabetes. The numbering reflects the order of description; the original type 3 is now regarded as a mixed form. In British English RTA usually means road traffic accident, which emergency notes use far more often.
Related abbreviations
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- RALP – Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
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- RCC – Renal cell carcinoma
- RP – Radical prostatectomy
- RRT – Renal replacement therapy
- SLED – Sustained low-efficiency dialysis
- SPC – Suprapubic catheter
- SUI – Stress urinary incontinence
- TCC – Transitional cell carcinoma
- TDC – Tunneled dialysis catheter
- TRUS – Transrectal ultrasound
See all 71 nephrology & urology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.