Question

The health care provider prescribes pain medication to a patient with the notation prn in the prescription. Which interpretation would the nurse make from the prescription?

1 The medication should be taken as needed.
2 The medication should be taken every hour.
3 The medication should be taken before meals.
4 The medication should be taken twice each day.

Answer 1

In a prescription, 'PRN' indicates that the medication should be taken as needed for pain, rather than on a fixed schedule.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a health care provider prescribes pain medication with the notation PRN (pro re nata), it instructs that the medication should be taken as needed. This means the patient should use the medication when they are experiencing pain, rather than at scheduled times. PRN does not indicate that the medication should be taken every hour, before meals, or twice each day. It is vital to understand what type of pain relief medication is prescribed PRN. For example, opioids, like morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone, as well as non-opioid medications such as NSAIDs or combination pain relievers may be prescribed PRN for varying degrees of pain management, and should always be taken under a doctor's supervision due to the risk of side effects and addiction.