Abbreviation for nothing by mouth, a medical order that means a person should not have anything to eat or drink?

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Multiple Choice

Abbreviation for nothing by mouth, a medical order that means a person should not have anything to eat or drink?

Explanation:
NPO stands for nil per os, meaning nothing by mouth. This medical order requires no oral intake—no food or drinks, including water—unless a clinician specifically allows it. It’s used to protect the airway and prevent aspiration during anesthesia or before certain procedures and tests. After the restricted period, instructions will guide when and how to resume eating and drinking. For context, other common abbreviations you might see are NKA (no known allergies), N/V (nausea and vomiting), and TPN (total parenteral nutrition, which is nutrition given intravenously).

NPO stands for nil per os, meaning nothing by mouth. This medical order requires no oral intake—no food or drinks, including water—unless a clinician specifically allows it. It’s used to protect the airway and prevent aspiration during anesthesia or before certain procedures and tests. After the restricted period, instructions will guide when and how to resume eating and drinking.

For context, other common abbreviations you might see are NKA (no known allergies), N/V (nausea and vomiting), and TPN (total parenteral nutrition, which is nutrition given intravenously).

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