NPO for surgery

Nurses Medications

Published

Do you give routinely scheduled PO medications? I know we have to give beta blockers, so I usually give all as I would if the pt was PO. A new grad took offense when I questioned her about holding synthroid.

Specializes in Med/Surg/.

That being said, I was a patient recently and was waiting in pre-op when I heard quite the commotion (well not really commotion but discussion between multiple people for a while), an older man's surgery (don't know what kind) was cancelled because he had been chewing gum that morning. So I suppose it really needs to be clarified on a person by person basis

Well hang me for asking but what does gum chewing have to do with being NPO? He's only acquiring his own saliva.....That's got to be a first in 35 yrs for me...:o)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Chewing gum increases the production of gastric acid. Not a good substance to aspirated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment