What is prn?

"PRN" is an abbreviation commonly used in medicine and other fields, meaning "as needed" or "pro re nata." It indicates that something should be administered or performed only when required, rather than on a regular schedule.

Here's a breakdown of its usage:

• Medicine: PRN is frequently used in prescribing medications. A doctor might write "pain medication 10mg PRN" meaning the patient should take 10mg of the pain medication only when they experience pain. This avoids unnecessary medication use.

• Nursing: Nurses also use PRN in charting and medication administration. It's a crucial component of documenting care, ensuring that medications are given appropriately and only when the patient's condition warrants it.

• Other Fields: While less common, the abbreviation can appear in other fields where something is done only when a specific situation arises. For example, you might see "maintenance PRN" indicating that maintenance tasks are performed only when necessary.

It's important to note that while PRN offers flexibility, it also requires careful assessment and judgment. The individual administering the treatment (e.g., a nurse or patient) must determine when the need arises based on the specific circumstances and the established criteria for usage. Simply because something can be done PRN doesn't automatically mean it should be done at any given moment.