what is prn in medical terms

In medical terms, "PRN" stands for the Latin phrase "pro re nata," which translates to "as needed" or "as the situation demands." It is commonly used in healthcare to indicate that medication or treatment should be given only when necessary, rather than on a fixed schedule. For example, a patient might be prescribed a painkiller to take PRN, meaning they should take the medication only when they experience pain and not at regular intervals. PRN is used to provide flexibility in treatment plans, allowing patients or healthcare providers to administer medication based on symptoms or condition changes. It's important to follow prescribed dosage limits even when taking medications PRN and not to exceed the maximum allowed amount. Beyond medications, PRN can also refer to healthcare staff, like nurses, who work on an as-needed basis without a fixed schedule. Thus, PRN essentially means "take or do as needed" in medical contexts.