Question

Which of the following abbreviations on a patient's chart, test requisition, or bedside notice would be most important if a patient asked a phlebotomist for a drink of water?

a. TPR
b. PRN
c. OP
d. NPO

Answer 1

NPO (nothing by mouth) indicates a patient should not eat or drink due to medical reasons, often before surgery. A patient with low blood pressure and signs of dehydration likely needs IV saline to restore fluid balance and improve condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The abbreviation NPO, which stands for nil per os or 'nothing by mouth', would be the most important in this context. If a patient's chart indicates NPO, it usually means the patient should not consume any food or drink, possibly due to a planned procedure, surgery, or specific medical condition that requires their stomach to be empty.

For a patient with a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and complaint of thirst, these symptoms suggest the patient could be suffering from severe dehydration or possibly shock. Immediate medical intervention is necessary, and the health care team would likely initiate fluids intravenously, such as a saline solution, to stabilize the patient's condition.

When a patient is dehydrated and requires intravenous fluids, a common solution given is an intravenous (IV) saline infusion, which is a sterile mixture of sodium chloride and water that helps restore proper fluid balance and provide electrolytes.