General
npo
What does npo mean?
An order that the patient must not eat or drink anything, commonly used before surgery or anesthesia to reduce the risk of aspiration.
"Keep him NPO after midnight; he's going to the OR in the morning."
Origin
Abbreviation of Latin 'nil per os' meaning 'nothing through the mouth.'
Frequently asked questions
What does NPO mean?
It means nothing by mouth: the patient is not allowed to eat or drink anything, often ordered before surgery or a procedure.
Why are patients kept NPO?
An empty stomach lowers the risk of aspirating food or fluid into the lungs during anesthesia or sedation.
What does NPO stand for?
It comes from the Latin 'nil per os,' meaning nothing through the mouth.
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