Ice ok if on NPO?

[phatso]

I've had nurses and CNAs tell me its ok during clinicals.

So apparently it's ok in the real world.

But is that the correct answer on an exam if the choices include

a. no foods or liquids

versus

b. small amounts of ice

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

NPO to me means Nothing By Mouth...Ice goes in your mouth! I'm just guessing here though!

You are 100% correct. So the correct answer should be no food or drinks. Some patients are on strict NPO ( no ice at all) and some patients can be NPO and also have ice chips. This does not mean that the patient is allowed to chew ice chips all day loool. To be safe I would always ask the nurse or instructor if a pt can have ice or not.