The abbreviation PRN is commonly used in medical contexts to mean what?

The abbreviation PRN stands for "as needed," which is a common term used in medical settings to indicate that a medication or treatment should be administered only when necessary, rather than on a fixed schedule. This allows for flexibility in patient care, enabling healthcare providers to tailor the administration of medications based on an individual patient's specific symptoms or needs at any given time. For example, a physician might prescribe a pain reliever PRN, meaning the patient should take it only when they experience discomfort.

In contrast, the other options represent different instructions that are not equivalent to the concept of "as needed." "At regular intervals" refers to scheduled medications or treatments that are taken consistently, rather than based on a patient's current condition. "Before meals" specifies the timing related to eating, guiding when a medication should be taken in relation to meals. "As prescribed" suggests follow-through on a healthcare provider's recommendations without the flexibility that PRN provides. Therefore, understanding the implications of PRN is essential in providing patient-centered care.