Cath is shorthand for catheterization, which is a latex, silicone, or polyurethane tube inserted through the urethra to drain urine from the bladder. Catheters can be permanent, indwelling devices or temporary and come in varying diameters. Complications include infection, sepsis, bladder stones, and injury. ESWL stands for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, a noninvasive procedure developed in 1980s to treat kidney stones 2-4mm in size using shockwaves. Potential complications include renal failure and hypertension. BUN measures blood urea nitrogen to assess kidney function, with normal ranges being 7-21 mg/dL. Abnormal levels can indicate kidney damage or dehydr

2. Common Abbreviations
Explained (Urinary System Edition!)

3. Common Abbreviations
Explained (Urinary System Edition!)

4. Common Abbreviations
Explained (Urinary System Edition!)

5. Common Abbreviations
Explained (Urinary System Edition!)

6. Common Abbreviations
Explained (Urinary System Edition!)
By: Casey Bishop

7. cath (or catheterization)

8. cath (or catheterization)

9. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder

10. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra

11. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra
Tubes are commonly between 3.3
and 9.3 mm in diameter

12. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra
Tubes are commonly between 3.3
and 9.3 mm in diameter
Used to drain urine from a patient’s
bladder

13. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra
Tubes are commonly between 3.3
and 9.3 mm in diameter
Used to drain urine from a patient’s
bladder
May be permanent or indwelling (known
as a Foley catheter) or intermittent
(known as a Robinson catheter)

14. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra
Tubes are commonly between 3.3
and 9.3 mm in diameter
Used to drain urine from a patient’s
bladder
May be permanent or indwelling (known
as a Foley catheter) or intermittent
(known as a Robinson catheter)
Additional uses include:

15. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra
Tubes are commonly between 3.3
and 9.3 mm in diameter
Used to drain urine from a patient’s
bladder
May be permanent or indwelling (known
as a Foley catheter) or intermittent
(known as a Robinson catheter)
Additional uses include:
Used to inject liquids used for
diagnostic procedures

16. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra
Tubes are commonly between 3.3
and 9.3 mm in diameter
Used to drain urine from a patient’s
bladder
May be permanent or indwelling (known
as a Foley catheter) or intermittent
(known as a Robinson catheter)
Additional uses include:
Used to inject liquids used for
diagnostic procedures
Used to administer medications

17. cath (or catheterization)
Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube
used to drain urine from a patient’s
urinary bladder
Inserted through urethra
Tubes are commonly between 3.3
and 9.3 mm in diameter
Used to drain urine from a patient’s
bladder
May be permanent or indwelling (known
as a Foley catheter) or intermittent
(known as a Robinson catheter)
Additional uses include:
Used to inject liquids used for
diagnostic procedures
Used to administer medications

18. cath (continued)

19. cath (continued)

20. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure

21. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections

22. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications

23. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications
Complication include:

24. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications
Complication include:
bacterial infection

25. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications
Complication include:
bacterial infection
sepsis

26. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications
Complication include:
bacterial infection
sepsis
bladder stones

27. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications
Complication include:
bacterial infection
sepsis
bladder stones
urethral injury

28. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications
Complication include:
bacterial infection
sepsis
bladder stones
urethral injury
Should be used as last resort in
incontinent patients

29. cath (continued)
More difficult to place in women due
to variances in anatomical structure
Frequent cause of nosocomial
infections
Must be heavily maintained/
cleaned in order to prevent
complications
Complication include:
bacterial infection
sepsis
bladder stones
urethral injury
Should be used as last resort in
incontinent patients

30. ESWL (or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy)

31. ESWL (or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy)
Used to treat kidney
stones non-invasively

32. ESWL (or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy)
Used to treat kidney
stones non-invasively
Developed in the early
1980s by Dornier
MedTech Systems
GmbH

33. ESWL (or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy)
Used to treat kidney
stones non-invasively
Developed in the early
1980s by Dornier
MedTech Systems
GmbH
Works best with
stones between
2-4mm in diameter

34. ESWL (or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy)
Used to treat kidney
stones non-invasively
Developed in the early
1980s by Dornier
MedTech Systems
GmbH
Works best with
stones between
2-4mm in diameter

35. ESWL (or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy)
Used to treat kidney
stones non-invasively
Developed in the early
1980s by Dornier
MedTech Systems
GmbH
Works best with
stones between
2-4mm in diameter

36. ESWL (cont.)

37. ESWL (cont.)

38. ESWL (cont.)

39. ESWL (cont.)

40. ESWL (cont.)
Can also be used to break
stones in ureters and the
gallbladder but with lower
results

41. ESWL (cont.)
Can also be used to break
stones in ureters and the
gallbladder but with lower
results
Relatively low overall
complication rate around
5-20%

42. ESWL (cont.)
Can also be used to break
stones in ureters and the
gallbladder but with lower
results
Relatively low overall
complication rate around
5-20%
Complications due to capillary
damage/hemorrhage include:

43. ESWL (cont.)
Can also be used to break
stones in ureters and the
gallbladder but with lower
results
Relatively low overall
complication rate around
5-20%
Complications due to capillary
damage/hemorrhage include:
renal failure

44. ESWL (cont.)
Can also be used to break
stones in ureters and the
gallbladder but with lower
results
Relatively low overall
complication rate around
5-20%
Complications due to capillary
damage/hemorrhage include:
renal failure
hypertension

45. BUN (or blood urea nitrogen)

46. BUN (or blood urea nitrogen)

47. BUN (or blood urea nitrogen)
Assessment of the amount
of nitrogen (found within
urea molecules) in the
blood

48. BUN (or blood urea nitrogen)
Assessment of the amount
of nitrogen (found within
urea molecules) in the
blood
Indicates level of renal
health

49. BUN (or blood urea nitrogen)
Assessment of the amount
of nitrogen (found within
urea molecules) in the
blood
Indicates level of renal
health
Normal levels range from
2.5-6.5 mmol/L or 7-21 mg/
dL

50. BUN (or blood urea nitrogen)
Assessment of the amount
of nitrogen (found within
urea molecules) in the
blood
Indicates level of renal
health
Normal levels range from
2.5-6.5 mmol/L or 7-21 mg/
dL
Usually measured
alongside blood creatinine
levels

51. BUN (or blood urea nitrogen)
Assessment of the amount
of nitrogen (found within
urea molecules) in the
blood
Indicates level of renal
health
Normal levels range from
2.5-6.5 mmol/L or 7-21 mg/
dL
Usually measured
alongside blood creatinine
levels

52. BUN (cont.)

53. BUN (cont.)
Below normal levels indicates
reduced reabsorption of BUN by
the kidneys, usually as a result of
kidney damage

54. BUN (cont.)
Below normal levels indicates
reduced reabsorption of BUN by
the kidneys, usually as a result of
kidney damage
Above normal levels indicate over
reabsorption of BUN, usually as a
result of dehydration

55. BUN (cont.)
Below normal levels indicates
reduced reabsorption of BUN by
the kidneys, usually as a result of
kidney damage
Above normal levels indicate over
reabsorption of BUN, usually as a
result of dehydration
Other causes of abnormal levels
of BUN include:

56. BUN (cont.)
Below normal levels indicates
reduced reabsorption of BUN by
the kidneys, usually as a result of
kidney damage
Above normal levels indicate over
reabsorption of BUN, usually as a
result of dehydration
Other causes of abnormal levels
of BUN include:
acute renal failure

57. BUN (cont.)
Below normal levels indicates
reduced reabsorption of BUN by
the kidneys, usually as a result of
kidney damage
Above normal levels indicate over
reabsorption of BUN, usually as a
result of dehydration
Other causes of abnormal levels
of BUN include:
acute renal failure
gastrointestinal hemorrhage

58. BUN (cont.)
Below normal levels indicates
reduced reabsorption of BUN by
the kidneys, usually as a result of
kidney damage
Above normal levels indicate over
reabsorption of BUN, usually as a
result of dehydration
Other causes of abnormal levels
of BUN include:
acute renal failure
gastrointestinal hemorrhage
old age

59. BUN (cont.)
Below normal levels indicates
reduced reabsorption of BUN by
the kidneys, usually as a result of
kidney damage
Above normal levels indicate over
reabsorption of BUN, usually as a
result of dehydration
Other causes of abnormal levels
of BUN include:
acute renal failure
gastrointestinal hemorrhage
old age

60. ARF (or acute renal failure)

61. ARF (or acute renal failure)

62. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)

63. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes

64. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:

65. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume

66. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume
Obstruction of UT

67. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume
Obstruction of UT
Harmful substances encountered during
renal filtration

68. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume
Obstruction of UT
Harmful substances encountered during
renal filtration
Complications include:

69. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume
Obstruction of UT
Harmful substances encountered during
renal filtration
Complications include:
High potassium and BUN/creatinine levels

70. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume
Obstruction of UT
Harmful substances encountered during
renal filtration
Complications include:
High potassium and BUN/creatinine levels
acidosis

71. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume
Obstruction of UT
Harmful substances encountered during
renal filtration
Complications include:
High potassium and BUN/creatinine levels
acidosis
uremia

72. ARF (or acute renal failure)
Also known as AKI (acute kidney injury)
Rapid loss of kidney function due to a large range
of probable causes
Causes include:
Low blood volume
Obstruction of UT
Harmful substances encountered during
renal filtration
Complications include:
High potassium and BUN/creatinine levels
acidosis
uremia
failure of other organs

73. ARF (cont.)

74. ARF (cont.)

75. ARF (cont.)
Systemic symptoms include:
fatigue
loss of appetite
headache
GI upset
Heart arrhythmia/tachycardia
Three main causes
Prerenal (decreased renal blood flow)
Intrinsic (interglomular pathology)
Postrenal (UTI obstruction)

76. ARF (cont.)
Systemic symptoms include:
fatigue
loss of appetite
headache
GI upset
Heart arrhythmia/tachycardia
Three main causes
Prerenal (decreased renal blood flow)
Intrinsic (interglomular pathology)
Postrenal (UTI obstruction)

77. UTI (or urinary tract infection)

78. UTI (or urinary tract infection)

79. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract

80. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli

81. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)

82. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)

83. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus

84. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:

85. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:
dysuria (lower)

86. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:
dysuria (lower)
high urinary frequency (lower)

87. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:
dysuria (lower)
high urinary frequency (lower)
lower back/flank pain (upper)

88. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:
dysuria (lower)
high urinary frequency (lower)
lower back/flank pain (upper)
fever (upper)

89. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:
dysuria (lower)
high urinary frequency (lower)
lower back/flank pain (upper)
fever (upper)
nausea/vomiting (upper)

90. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:
dysuria (lower)
high urinary frequency (lower)
lower back/flank pain (upper)
fever (upper)
nausea/vomiting (upper)
pyuria (upper/lower)

91. UTI (or urinary tract infection)
Bacterial (occasionally viral/fungal) infection of the
urinary tract
Usually caused by E. Coli
Lower UTI called cystitis (bladder infection)
Upper UTI called pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
More common in woman due to urethral proximity
to anus
Symptoms include:
dysuria (lower)
high urinary frequency (lower)
lower back/flank pain (upper)
fever (upper)
nausea/vomiting (upper)
pyuria (upper/lower)

92. UTI (cont.)

93. UTI (cont.)

94. UTI (cont.)
50% of woman will have one
UTI in their lifetime with many
experiencing recurrences

95. UTI (cont.)
50% of woman will have one
UTI in their lifetime with many
experiencing recurrences
Treatment usually consists of
daily antibiotic such as
nitrofuratoin or trimethoprim

96. UTI (cont.)
50% of woman will have one
UTI in their lifetime with many
experiencing recurrences
Treatment usually consists of
daily antibiotic such as
nitrofuratoin or trimethoprim
Upper UTIs are treated more
aggressively with strong
antibiotics such as
ciprofloxacin and are many
times admitted for
surveillance