What Does PRN Mean?

Every day, we see and use the acronym “PRN” but do you actually know what it stands for and what it means? In this article, we’ll take a look at one of the most commonly used abbreviations in the healthcare field and see what PRN actually stands for and how it is used in the medical world.

What Does ‘PRN’ Mean?

PRN is an acronym that stands for the Latin phrase “pro re nata,” which translates to “as the situation demands.” PRN can be used in many different contexts, but it is most commonly used in the healthcare field, including in medical notes and prescriptions, to indicate that something is to be taken or done “as needed” or “when needed.”

How is ‘PRN’ Used in the Healthcare Field?

In the healthcare field, PRN is typically used in medical documentation, physical orders, and medication orders. It can be used to denote when a certain action needs to be taken or a certain medication needs to be taken, based on individual needs. For example, if a patient needs to take a certain medication when their pain is at a certain level, then their doctor may order the medication to be taken “PRN” for pain relief.

PRN is also commonly used in physical orders. For example, if a patient needs to do a certain exercise for physical therapy, their doctor may order the exercise to be done “PRN” for pain relief or muscle strengthening.

Conclusion

In summary, “PRN” stands for the Latin phrase “pro re nata,” which translates to “as the situation demands.” It is most commonly used in the healthcare field to denote when something should take place or when a medication should be taken, depending on individual needs. Now that you know what PRN means, you are better equipped to understand what your doctor or prescription is telling you.