National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

What does the abbreviation PRN stand for in a healthcare context?

1. Administer as necessary

2. Pain reducing narcotics

3. Dispense at bedtime

4. Care recipient refusal and noted

The correct answer is: Administer as necessary

In a healthcare context, the abbreviation PRN stands for "as needed" or "administer as necessary." It is derived from the Latin phrase "pro re nata," which translates to "for the situation born" or "as the circumstance arises." This term is commonly used to indicate that a medication or treatment should be given only when required, rather than on a fixed schedule. This approach is particularly useful in managing symptoms that may not be constant, such as pain or anxiety, allowing healthcare providers the flexibility to respond to a patient's changing needs. For instance, a patient might be prescribed a pain reliever to take PRN, meaning they would take it only when they feel pain rather than at set intervals. The other options do not accurately represent the meaning of PRN in a healthcare context. They either refer to specific types of medications or instructions that do not convey the same level of situational appropriateness as the correct answer.