In patient documentation, what does p.r.n. stand for?

In patient documentation, "p.r.n." is an abbreviation that stands for "as needed." This term is often used in medical contexts to indicate that a certain medication or treatment should be administered only when required, rather than on a fixed schedule. For example, a physician may prescribe pain medication to be taken p.r.n., meaning the patient should take it only when they experience pain rather than at regular intervals.

This approach allows for a more tailored and patient-centered care plan, enabling healthcare providers to offer flexibility based on the patient's condition and needs. The use of "p.r.n." is common in prescriptions and medical notes to efficiently convey instructions about treatments that do not require routine administration.