As-needed psychotropic medications: prevalence, indications, and results

1. Approximately 50% of inpatients are receiving p.r.n. psychotropic medications. 2. The most prevalent reasons reported in the literature for giving p.r.n. medications were to prevent/contain agitation, physical aggression, disruptive behavior in children, and aggressive behavior in children. 3. Nurses are responsible for providing a safe milieu; nurses must have the option of giving p.r.n. medications to protect patients and staff members.