Med Abbreviations

PO -per os ....by mouth
IV - intravenous
PR -per rectum - up the butt
IM - intramuscular
KVN -keep vein open- ready for injection
Bolus- a big shot of medication directly shoved into a patient larger than any pill...also can be food, used in emergencies alot

PRN - per re nata - as new complications develop give more drugs ( as new events are born - actual latin)

Pro re nata is a Latin phrase that literally means "for the thing born". As with other Latin abbreviations and acronyms, it is routinely used by physicians in prescribing instructions to mean "as needed for". An example of such might include "Benadryl 50mg qhs prn insomnia". ("qhs" is another Latin abbreviation, which stands forquaque hora somni, or "at the hour of sleep or bedtime".) Fortunately for patients, pharmacists are also familiar with these shorthand notations. Therefore, when used in medical situations, specifically for medications, it means that the medication is to be used only when needed, rather than on a consistent basis. Hope that helps! Best wishes.
The letters stand for pro re nata (latin) which means take when necessary/as required
prn means "as needed"
PRN means "as needed". It stands for "pro re nata" which literally translates to in the circumstances.
"as needed"
means as needed or necessary
whenever necessary; as needed
prn means "as needed"
PRN means: When needed or as required.
As needed
prn means as needed/when necessary

Part One - Medical Abbreviations - Acronyms - General

1. International Medical Abbreviations:
   http://www.wyeth.co.uk/resources/med_main.htm
2. General Medical Abbreviations Look up:
   
   1. http://www.wyeth.co.uk/education/eduhome.htm
   2. Use the medical dictionary to look up the meaning of common medical terms, abbreviations, and medical names. This dictionary includes terms from diseases, symptoms, treatments, diagnostic tests, and many other medical terms. http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/lists/dictaz.htm
   3. Medical Malpractice Terminology/Dictionary http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/malpractice/dictionary.htm
   4. List of Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/lists/acronymns.htm
3. Pathology Abbreviation Look up:
   Pathologists use lots of abbreviations and acronyms. An acronym is an abbreviation of a phrase, where each letter of the acronym is added consecutively from the first letter of each of the words of the phrase. An abbreviation is a shortened form of a text-string, and all acronyms are types of abbreviations. The following is a list of over 12,000 abbreviations used in medicine: http://www.euspirit.org/en/upload/984528174.37955/abbtwo.htm
4. JACHO/ Institute for Safe Medication Practices - Listing of dangerous and prohibited abbreviations
   
   1. By the end of 2004, JCAHO expected full compliance in all handwritten, print, and electronic media documents related to these dangerous abbreviations. Further details are available on the JCAHO Web site: http://www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/nr_012506.htm
   2. In addition, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has published a list of dangerous abbreviations relating to medication use that it recommends should be explicitly prohibited. It is available on the ISMP Web site: http://www.ismp.org/Tools/errorproneabbreviations.pdf
5. Acronym Glossary - Medical & Professional Degrees & Credentials
   http://www.sandiegobizmart.com/tools/t3_acronym_glossary.htm