PRN medications

[jktb]

in the hospital that i study in , we have PRN medications that means we give that medication when the patent ask or when required, if my patient complains of pain and i decided to give him pethedin as doctor ordered in the PRN medication sheet , when i can give the pethidine tablet again?

[nambour51]

All PRN medications should have a time frame for administration included in the order. Remember to document the effect of any PRN medication given.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Here in the USA narcotics usually have a time frame, as we don't indiscriminately on our own judgement pass out narcotic tablets prn. Pethidine tablets (or as we call them here Demerol) come in a wide variety of strengths. I've seen them given anywhere from 2 to 8 hours apart.

Bottom line: get the order clarified if what I'm suggesting.

[jktb]

thank you Tweety & nambour51 for your responses

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

in the uk controlled drugs(morphine etc) can be presribed for modified(slow) release and also if the patient needs immediate release(PRN) but the time betwwen doses is on the prescription and if a patient requlary requests pain relief or any PRN medicine it should be reviewed by the doctor