Master Canadian Nursing Abbreviations

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Elevate your nursing skills with our Canadian Nursing Abbreviations Quiz. Test and reinforce your knowledge to excel in your nursing career!

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What is the meaning of 'NPO' in medical terminology?

Nocturnal Pulse Oximetry
Non-Parenteral Opioids
Nothing by Mouth
Near Patient Observation

The correct answer is: Nothing by Mouth

NPO stands for "nothing by mouth" in medical terminology. This means that a patient is not allowed to consume any food or liquids, usually before a medical procedure or surgery. The other options may seem plausible, but they do not accurately represent the commonly understood meaning of NPO in the medical field. Nocturnal pulse oximetry (A) refers to a test that measures oxygen levels in the blood during sleep, Non-parenteral opioids (B) are pain medications that are not injected, and Near patient observation (D) typically refers to monitoring a patient's condition and vital signs regularly in a hospital setting. All of these options are related to medical terminology, but they do not match the specific meaning of NPO. This is why the correct answer is C.