Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

Which pharmacy abbreviation means "Nothing by mouth"?

1. NPO

2. PO

3. EOD

4. Prn

The correct answer is: NPO

The abbreviation that means "Nothing by mouth" is NPO, which stands for the Latin phrase "Nihil per os." This term is commonly used in medical and veterinary settings to indicate that a patient should not ingest anything orally, including food and water, typically before a procedure or surgery. This is important to prevent complications during anesthesia or invasive procedures, as having food or liquid in the stomach could pose risks such as aspiration. The other abbreviations do not convey the same meaning. PO stands for "per os," meaning "by mouth," and is used to indicate that medications should be taken orally. EOD means "every other day," which refers to a schedule for administering medications or treatments, and prn stands for "pro re nata," meaning "as needed," which indicates that a medication can be given when deemed necessary by the veterinarian or technician. Understanding these abbreviations is crucial in veterinary medicine to follow proper protocols for patient care.