Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) Practice Test

What is the correct meaning of PRN medication?

1. From the pharmacy

2. As required

3. As per request

4. Regular schedule

The correct answer is: As required

PRN medication is a term derived from the Latin phrase "pro re nata," which translates to "as needed" or "as required." This means that the medication is not administered on a fixed schedule but rather given to a resident only when certain conditions or symptoms arise. For example, a resident who experiences occasional pain may be prescribed a pain reliever to be taken PRN, allowing for flexibility based on their individual needs. Understanding PRN medication is particularly important in a residential care setting, where the staff must carefully monitor residents and respond to their immediate health concerns without unnecessary intervention. This approach helps to optimize medication management and enhances the quality of care provided to residents. The other options do not accurately capture this meaning; "from the pharmacy" relates to the source of the medication rather than how it is administered, "as per request" can imply any request without the specific context of medical necessity, and "regular schedule" contradicts the very nature of PRN medication, which is designed to be more responsive and on-demand rather than routine.