What it means
In neurology notes, PD usually means Parkinson diseasePAR-kin-sun dih-ZEEZA slowly worsening brain disease in which the nerve cells that help control movement die off.Full entry . In kidney care, it means peritoneal dialysis, in which fluid is put into the belly through a catheter and drained out again to clear waste from the blood. It can also stand for other terms, such as personality disorder. The setting tells you which one is meant.
For the nurse
When the meaning is not clear, ask or write the full term. For peritoneal dialysis, use strict aseptic technique at the catheter and watch for cloudy drained fluid, fever or belly pain, which can mean infection.
Related terms
Parkinson disease
A slowly worsening brain disease in which the nerve cells that help control movement die off.
dialysis
A treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it.