What does "PRN" mean in medication orders?

"PRN" stands for "pro re nata," a Latin phrase that translates to "as required" or "as needed." This term is used in medication orders to indicate that the medication should be administered only when the patient requires it, rather than on a fixed schedule. This allows for flexibility in treatment, accommodating the patient’s specific needs at different times.

For instance, pain relief medications are often prescribed as PRN to allow patients to take them based on their discomfort level, rather than taking them routinely when they may not need them. This approach helps balance effective symptom management with minimizing unnecessary medication use.

The other choices refer to specific timing for medication administration: "before meals" indicates a strict schedule related to meals, "once a day" denotes a fixed daily frequency, and "at bedtime" specifies a particular time of day for administration. None of these convey the adaptability of the "as required" nature provided by PRN instructions.