Question

question 40
a pharmacy technician interprets a prescription that includes the abbreviation npo. the technician should recognize that this abbreviation means the patient should take which of the following actions?

avoid sunlight after taking the medication.
take nothing by mouth.
take the medication at night only.
take the medication with food.

Explanation:

Translate the abbreviation NPO

Using the Medical Abbreviations knowledge point
The abbreviation NPO originates from the Latin phrase nil per os, which translates directly to "nothing by mouth."

Evaluate the given options

• Avoid sunlight after taking the medication: This instruction is typically associated with photosensitivity warnings (e.g., for tetracyclines or sulfonamides), not NPO.
• Take nothing by mouth: This is the direct and correct translation of the Latin abbreviation NPO.
• Take the medication at night only: This is represented by abbreviations like qhs (quaque hora somni).
• Take the medication with food: This is often indicated by instructions such as c.f. (cum cibo) or written out directly, not by NPO.

Answer:

• Avoid sunlight after taking the medication.
• Take nothing by mouth. (Correct answer)
• Take the medication at night only.
• Take the medication with food.