If you’ve ever read a medical prescription or heard a doctor give instructions, you might have come across the abbreviation PRN. This term is commonly used in healthcare settings, but its meaning may not be immediately clear to English learners.
PRN Medical Abbreviation
PRN comes from the Latin phrase “pro re nata,” which means “as needed” or “when necessary.”
In medical contexts, PRN is used to describe medications or treatments that are not taken on a fixed schedule but only when required.
PRN is widely used in medical prescriptions, hospital records, and healthcare conversations. Below are some examples of how it appears in real-life English communication.
In Prescriptions
Doctors use PRN to indicate that a patient should take medication only when symptoms occur.
Example from a prescription:
- Take one tablet PRN for pain (This means the medicine should be taken only if the patient feels pain, not at a fixed time).
- Use eye drops PRN for dryness.
In Medical Instructions
Healthcare professionals give PRN instructions to patients or caregivers.
Example in a spoken conversation:
Doctor: “You don’t have to take this medication every day. Just use it PRN for allergies.”
Patient: “So, I take it only when I feel symptoms?”
Doctor: “Exactly.”
In Hospital Charts and Nursing Notes
PRN is often recorded in patient files to guide nurses and medical staff on when to give certain medications.
Example from a hospital chart:
- Medication: Ibuprofen 200 mg
- Dosage: 1 tablet PRN for fever above 100°F
Other Medical Abbreviations
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is intended to help learners understand common medical abbreviations. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any medical concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional.