What Does NPO Mean in Medical Terms? Complete Guide (2026)

You’re scrolling through a hospital form or reading a doctor’s note and suddenly spot the letters NPO. You pause. “Wait… what does that even mean?”

It can be confusing if you’re not familiar with medical abbreviations. Don’t worry you’re not alone! Many people first encounter NPO in a hospital or clinic setting and have no clue what it stands for.

Quick Answer: NPO means “nil per os,” which is Latin for “nothing by mouth.”

It’s a formal medical instruction telling someone not to eat or drink anything for a period of time, often before surgery or certain medical tests.

What Does NPO Mean in Text? 🧠

In medical contexts, NPO is not a slang term for texting it’s a serious instruction from healthcare professionals. The letters stand for “nil per os,” which literally translates from Latin to “nothing by mouth.”

Example in a sentence:

The doctor said, “Patient must remain NPO after midnight before surgery.”

In short:
NPO = Nil Per Os = Do not eat or drink anything orally.

While you might see people jokingly use “NPO” in texts to mean “not participating orally” in a conversation or game, this is rare. Its primary use is medical and formal.

Where Is NPO Commonly Used? 📱

Although NPO isn’t casual slang, here’s where it pops up:

🏥 Hospitals & clinics – before surgeries, endoscopies, or imaging tests.
📋 Medical forms – patient instructions or charts.
💬 Doctor-patient messages – confirming fasting status.

Tone: Always formal and clinical. Never use NPO casually in social media or informal chats.

Examples of NPO in Conversation 💬

Even though it’s formal, here’s how NPO might appear in realistic medical-related chats:

A: “Hey, are you eating breakfast?”
B: “Nope, I’m NPO until my surgery 😬”
A: “Can I have some water?”
B: “Not yet, doctor said I’m NPO 💧”
Nurse: “Patient must stay NPO after midnight.”
Doctor: “Confirmed, prepping for operation 🏥”
A: “Are you joining breakfast?”
B: “I’m NPO today, surgery prep 😔”
A: “Can you drink tea?”
B: “No, NPO till after procedure ☕🚫”

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When to Use and When Not to Use NPO 🕓

✅ When to Use:

Before surgeries or medical procedures
When following doctor’s fasting instructions
In formal hospital communication

❌ When Not to Use:

Casual texting or social media
Urgent or emergency situations where more explicit instructions are needed
Non-medical conversations

Comparison Table:

Context	Example Phrase	Why It Works
Friend Chat	“No rush, NPO 😄”	Rare, casual joke
Hospital Chat	“Patient must remain NPO after midnight”	Formal & precise
Email	“Please ensure patient is NPO prior to surgery”	Professional & clear

Similar Medical Terms or Alternatives 🔄

Term	Meaning	When to Use
Fasting	Not eating for a period	Pre-surgery, blood tests
NBM	Nil By Mouth	Common in UK hospitals
Clear liquids	Only allow water, tea, juice	Short-term pre-op fasting
Nothing by mouth	English version of NPO	Patient-friendly explanation