Condition
RDS medical abbreviation
RDS means "respiratory distress syndrome".
Each meaning matched at least two public references (3 in all for RDS), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.
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What RDS means
| Meaning | Latin origin | Where used | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| respiratory distress syndrome | None | Charting, Problem lists |
Example
Sample note: "RDS."
A made-up line that shows the abbreviation in place. It is not about any patient and is not an instruction.
Related abbreviations
Elsewhere on Rivvi
Questions
What does RDS mean in medical terms?
RDS means "respiratory distress syndrome".
Where is RDS used?
RDS shows up in charting and problem lists. Its category here is condition.
Is RDS on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?
No. RDS is not on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list or the ISMP error-prone list as checked on October 23, 2026.