Need the answer to this question (and no I'm not a nursing student). I have worked at different facilities but this one facility is different. Need your expertise on how long this example of an order lasts...6 months, 1yr, etc. Thank you
By the way, this is something I pulled up on the internet on google images. This is not someone I know. Say, if the 3 was circled instead of PRN.
PRN is actually very common for maintenance medications, such as Coumadin. It means that the prescription is good for regular refills for one year from the date of the prescription. We use this regularly in my office.
This is an honest question... why not just order 11 refills then? That's what my doctors do for me. My monthly meds have 11 refills and my q 3 month ones have 3- both ways give me refills for a year.
This is an honest question... why not just order 11 refills then? That's what my doctors do for me. My monthly meds have 11 refills and my q 3 month ones have 3- both ways give me refills for a year.
Sometimes the medication dosage is adjusted and increased in such a way that the patient may need more refills than one monthly. PRN for one year allows the pt to refill as many times as necessary without having to get a new prescription. That's the best answer I've got. :-)
KelRN215, BSN, RN
1 Article; 7,349 Posts
This is an honest question... why not just order 11 refills then? That's what my doctors do for me. My monthly meds have 11 refills and my q 3 month ones have 3- both ways give me refills for a year.