Nothing by mouth

Nothing by mouth is an American medical instruction meaning to withhold food and fluids. It is also known as nil per os (npo or NPO), a Latin phrase that translates to English as "nothing through the mouth". Nil by mouth is the term used in the UK (NBM), nihil/non/nulla per os, or complete bowel rest.^[1] A liquid-only diet may also be referred to as bowel rest.^[2]

NPO is one of the abbreviations that is not used in AMA style; "nothing by mouth" is spelled out instead.

^ Hanauer, Theodore M.; Bayless, Stephen B (2011). Advanced therapy of inflammatory bowel disease (Third ed.). p. 756. ISBN 9781607952176.
^ Nutrition Essentials and Diet Therapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2013. p. 175. ISBN 9780323266932.

[1] Hanauer, Theodore M.; Bayless, Stephen B (2011). Advanced therapy of inflammatory bowel disease (Third ed.). p. 756. ISBN 9781607952176.

[2] Nutrition Essentials and Diet Therapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2013. p. 175. ISBN 9780323266932.

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