The term PRN, an abbreviation for "Pro-Re-Nata" meaning, "as the occasion arises", are written physician orders that authorize a nurse to give a specific medication at a specified dose for a designated reason when needed. PRN orders are time limited and cannot exceed 30-days.

Comfort Measures Only (CMO) is a care plan that includes physician orders that address patient's potential bodily symptoms of discomfort that may be implemented when curative treatment has been stopped and death is expected.

Standing orders are written protocols that authorize designated members of the health care team (e.g., nurses or medical assistants) to complete certain clinical tasks without having to first obtain a physician order.

These give the bank an instruction to pay an exact amount to their account regularly. For example, you might set up a standing order to pay your rent.

Examples of standing orders include immunization administration, health screening activities, preventive care measures, ordering lab tests or treatments for certain categories, diabetes measures, prescription refills, and pre-/post-operative orders.

Standing orders and protocols allow patient care to be shared among non-clinician members of the care team, like medical assistants and nurses. Standing orders are often based on national clinical guidelines, but practices may customize those guidelines based on their own patient population or care environment.

A standing order is also referred to in practice as an “order set” or a “protocol.” Standing orders are standardized prescriptions for nurses to implement to any patient in clearly defined circumstances without the need to initially notify a provider.