Final answer:
Patients who cannot have any food or water are typically referred to as NPO (Nil Per Os), meaning 'nothing by mouth'. This term is commonly used in medical settings to indicate that a patient should not consume any food or liquids orally.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients who cannot have any food or water are typically referred to as NPO (which stands for Nil Per Os), meaning 'nothing by mouth'. This term is commonly used in medical settings to indicate that a patient should not consume any food or liquids orally. There are various medical reasons why a patient may be placed on NPO status, such as before surgery or certain medical procedures, when dealing with gastrointestinal issues, or when the person is unable to swallow safely.