What does "PRN" signify in nursing care?

"PRN," which stands for "pro re nata" in Latin, signifies "as needed" in nursing care. This abbreviation is commonly used in medical settings to indicate that a medication or intervention should be administered only when the patient requires it, rather than on a fixed schedule. For instance, a nurse might give pain relief medication PRN, meaning it will be given only when the patient requests it or when a pain assessment indicates a need for intervention. This flexibility allows for more personalized patient care, ensuring patients receive treatment tailored to their individual needs and responses.

Other options imply specific circumstances or routines that don't align with the general and flexible nature of PRN. "Post-operative recovery now" suggests an immediate action related to recovery, while "prescribed regularly now" indicates a scheduled intervention, and "patient required nursing" implies a compulsory need for nursing intervention unrelated to specific symptoms. Thus, these alternatives do not capture the essence of "as needed" care.