Nothing by mouth is an American medical instruction meaning to withhold food and fluids. It is also known as nil per os (npo or NPO), a Latin phrase that translates to English as "nothing through the mouth". Nil by mouth is the term used in the UK (NBM), nihil/non/nulla per os, or complete bowel rest. [1]

Jul 9, 2024 · NPO stands for “nil per os,” or “nothing by mouth.” It’s the standard instruction for people preparing to have a medical procedure or surgery. NPO means you avoid food and drink for hours before your medical or surgical procedure.

Jul 27, 2024 · NPO stands for “nil per os,” a Latin phrase that translates to “nothing by mouth.” NPO is a critical directive in healthcare settings, indicating that a patient should not consume any food, beverages, or oral medications.

Nov 15, 2023 · NPO means “nothing by mouth,” from the Latin nil per os. The term describes a patient who cannot have anything to eat or drink by mouth, including both solids and liquids. In other words, an NPO patient is on a complete fast.

Nov 26, 2023 · Understanding NPO, or “nothing by mouth,” is crucial in comprehending medical instructions and ensuring patient safety during various medical procedures and treatments. Patients and caregivers must adhere to NPO orders to prevent complications and support successful medical outcomes.

Jun 24, 2022 · NPO means “nothing by mouth;” it refers to the time before an exam or procedure during which you can’t eat or drink. NPO is a safety precaution: if your stomach isn’t empty and you get nauseous during a procedure, your stomach contents can flow into your lungs.

NPO stands for “non-per-oral,” which is another way to communicate “nothing by mouth.” Some people are placed on NPO status temporarily before surgeries or as part of some sort of treatment or testing, but these tend to be very short-lived, perhaps only part of a day or one night.

NPO (nothing by mouth, from the Latin “nil per os”) is a medical abbreviation that indicates a patient should not consume any food or liquids by mouth. This instruction is often given before certain medical procedures or surgeries to ensure the patient’s stomach is empty, reducing the risk of complications.

NPO is used by nurses and doctors in medical environments, in order to identify and list patients who should not receive fluid or solids by mouth. Patients are listed as NPO when they are scheduled for surgery, since medical recommendations are for a patient to eat and drink nothing by mouth for a period of time before the operation.

The patient is ordered to receive nothing by mouth (NPO); a nasogastric tube is inserted and placed on intermittent suction.