what does prn stand for

PRN stands for the Latin phrase "pro re nata," which translates to "as needed" or "as the situation arises." It is commonly used in medical contexts to indicate that a medication, treatment, or intervention should be administered only when necessary, rather than on a fixed schedule. For example, a medication prescribed as PRN is taken only when symptoms occur, such as pain medication taken when pain arises. Additionally, PRN can refer to nurses who work on an as-needed basis rather than on a regular schedule.