pro re nata

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. Dealing with something that arises unexpectedly or out of due course; for special business.
  2. Used on medical charts by doctors to indicate that actions may be taken at the discretion of nursing staff depending on the patient's condition.
  3. Used on prescriptions to indicate that the medicines may be taken if and when the patients feel the need.

Pronunciation

/ˌpɹoʊˌreɪˈnɑ.tɑ/

Word forms

pro re nata PRN

Etymology

From the Latin phrase pro (“for”) rē (“thing, matter”) nātā (“born, arisen”): "for what arises".

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