PRN ("pro re nata" / "as needed") medications don't appear on the timeline because they're not scheduled. Record them via the dedicated PRN page.
Recording a PRN dose
Click PRN in the eMAR nav (top-right of the navigation bar).
Pick the PRN medication.
Indicate the symptom (the indication for giving it).
Pick the outcome — typically Given (1) or Refused (3).
Enter any notes.
Submit. The PRN administration is timestamped and added to the audit trail.
Dose limits — automatic checks
When you record a PRN dose, Carerealm checks two limits server-side:
Minimum interval — has enough time passed since the previous PRN dose? Set on the medication as
prn_min_interval_minutes.Max in 24 hours — would this exceed the daily cap? Set as
prn_max_dose_24h.
Heads up — If either limit would be exceeded, the recording is blocked and the recorder shows the reason. Don't try to work around the limit — speak to the nurse in charge or contact the prescriber instead.
Effectiveness tracking
After a PRN dose, you can record whether it worked. Common follow-ups: pain score 30 minutes after, behaviour observation 1 hour after, sleep quality 8 hours after. See PRN effectiveness tracking.
Tip — Use the symptom-indicator list to drive consistency. "Pain in left knee" and "Knee pain (L)" should be the same indicator — agree as a team how to phrase symptoms.