Which term means Nothing by mouth?

Which term means Nothing by mouth?

• A. Intake
• B. NPO
• C. Puree
• D. Therapeutic or Special Diet

Answer: (B)

Nothing by mouth, abbreviated NPO, is a medical term used to indicate that a patient should not take anything by mouth. It comes from nil per os in Latin and is commonly used before surgery, anesthesia, or certain medical tests to keep the stomach empty and reduce the risk of aspiration. The term intake simply refers to what a person consumes and does not imply any restriction. Puree describes a texture of food for swallowing safety, not a complete prohibition of oral intake. A therapeutic or special diet is a prescribed diet plan for medical reasons, not a blanket no-oral intake directive. Because NPO specifically signals no oral intake, it is the correct term.

Nothing by mouth, abbreviated NPO, is a medical term used to indicate that a patient should not take anything by mouth. It comes from nil per os in Latin and is commonly used before surgery, anesthesia, or certain medical tests to keep the stomach empty and reduce the risk of aspiration. The term intake simply refers to what a person consumes and does not imply any restriction. Puree describes a texture of food for swallowing safety, not a complete prohibition of oral intake. A therapeutic or special diet is a prescribed diet plan for medical reasons, not a blanket no-oral intake directive. Because NPO specifically signals no oral intake, it is the correct term.