Interpreting PRN Medications Frequency / General Nursing / Nursing General / Forums / NurseCentral -

Hello there, and no, it's not a silly question at all! It's important to clarify any doubts or uncertainties regarding medication administration, especially when it comes to patient safety.

In general, when a medication is prescribed with a frequency but no specific instructions on spacing, it's typically assumed that the doses should be evenly spaced throughout the day. For example, if Endone 5mg BD is prescribed, it would typically be administered every 12 hours (i.e., twice a day) unless otherwise specified by the prescribing healthcare provider.

Similarly, if Risperidone is prescribed TDS (three times a day) with no specific instructions on spacing, it would typically be administered every 8 hours unless otherwise specified by the prescribing healthcare provider.

However, it's important to note that medication administration should always be guided by the healthcare provider's prescription and any additional instructions provided by the healthcare team. If there is any ambiguity or uncertainty regarding medication administration, it's always best to clarify with a more experienced healthcare professional or the prescribing healthcare provider to ensure patient safety.

- David @ ^{drywall repair contractors}

Author	Interpreting PRN Medications Frequency
Nurse95 (offline) Joined: Oct 2022 Location: Posts: 1	Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:10 pm Hi there, might be a very silly question, but in clinical labs we are shown practice drug charts where for example, on the PRN page a drug may have its frequency as BD, and the notes will say spaced 6 hours apart. However in the real world on placement many medications do not have the notes written next to the frequency for spacing, for example I have seen Endone 5mg BD, as well as Risperidone TDS. Would you interpret the endone to be given 12 hours apart and the Risperidone 8 hours apart if it had no notes stating spacing?

david14363 (offline) Joined: Apr 2022 Location: Posts: 11	Mar 12, 2023, 02:29 am Last edited Mar 12, 2023, 02:29 am update #1 Hello there, and no, it's not a silly question at all! It's important to clarify any doubts or uncertainties regarding medication administration, especially when it comes to patient safety. In general, when a medication is prescribed with a frequency but no specific instructions on spacing, it's typically assumed that the doses should be evenly spaced throughout the day. For example, if Endone 5mg BD is prescribed, it would typically be administered every 12 hours (i.e., twice a day) unless otherwise specified by the prescribing healthcare provider. Similarly, if Risperidone is prescribed TDS (three times a day) with no specific instructions on spacing, it would typically be administered every 8 hours unless otherwise specified by the prescribing healthcare provider. However, it's important to note that medication administration should always be guided by the healthcare provider's prescription and any additional instructions provided by the healthcare team. If there is any ambiguity or uncertainty regarding medication administration, it's always best to clarify with a more experienced healthcare professional or the prescribing healthcare provider to ensure patient safety. - David @ ^{drywall repair contractors} modified: Wednesday 03 May 2023 11:02:30 pm - david14363

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Interpreting PRN Medications Frequency