What does the abbreviation 'PRN' stand for in medication administration?

The abbreviation 'PRN' stands for "as needed." This term is commonly used in medical prescriptions and medication administration to indicate that a medication should be given only when the patient requires it, rather than on a fixed schedule. For example, a patient may be prescribed pain medication to be taken PRN, meaning they should take it only when they are experiencing pain and not at set intervals throughout the day. Understanding this abbreviation is crucial for pharmacy technicians as it impacts how medications are dispensed and monitored for effectiveness based on the patient's condition.

In contrast, the other options refer to specific dosing schedules: "per regularly scheduled doses" suggests a fixed administration timeline, "every other day" indicates a specific frequency of administration, and "only at bedtime" specifies a time-based instruction for taking medication. These are distinctive from the flexible and situational nature of taking medications PRN.