What does the abbreviation NPO mean?

What does the abbreviation NPO mean?

• A. Nothing pureed only
• B. Not prepared on-site
• C. Nothing by mouth
• D. Note preferences only

Answer: (C)

NPO means nothing by mouth. This is a safety directive used in healthcare to keep a patient from taking anything orally, typically to prevent choking or aspiration during procedures, before anesthesia, or when the patient cannot safely swallow. When NPO is ordered, no food or drinks, not even water, should be given unless a specific exception is written by the clinician. This would include avoiding anything the patient might put in their mouth, such as gum or candy, as well as medications that must not be taken by mouth unless allowed. The other options don’t fit because they describe unrelated ideas (a texture restriction, being not prepared on-site, or noting preferences), whereas NPO is a universal oral intake restriction.

NPO means nothing by mouth. This is a safety directive used in healthcare to keep a patient from taking anything orally, typically to prevent choking or aspiration during procedures, before anesthesia, or when the patient cannot safely swallow. When NPO is ordered, no food or drinks, not even water, should be given unless a specific exception is written by the clinician. This would include avoiding anything the patient might put in their mouth, such as gum or candy, as well as medications that must not be taken by mouth unless allowed. The other options don’t fit because they describe unrelated ideas (a texture restriction, being not prepared on-site, or noting preferences), whereas NPO is a universal oral intake restriction.