New nurse question re: NPO and meds

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey...I am a new RN and still on orientation.

I have a question about pts who are NPO for a surgery/procedure/etc and whether or not to give PO meds. I have been orienting with different nurses and I get a different answer from each one.

I realize some MDs write NPO except meds, but do you give PO meds if the pt is NPO with a small sip of water?

Please enlighten this newbe!

THANKS!

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Hey...I am a new RN and still on orientation.

I have a question about pts who are NPO for a surgery/procedure/etc and whether or not to give PO meds. I have been orienting with different nurses and I get a different answer from each one.

I realize some MDs write NPO except meds, but do you give PO meds if the pt is NPO with a small sip of water?

Please enlighten this newbe!

THANKS!

You are right, it is as individual as every doctor and every patient.

Because different types of surgery may require some of their meds be taken or different medical conditions even, it is not one and all reguarding meds before surgery.

However usually if they are told to take one or maybe even more of their meds lets say the morning of surgery our facility and doctors want it to be given w/small sip of water. That is standard protocol at our facility, it may not be protocol where you are.... sorry the help is limited. Best of luck to you

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Specializes in Intensive Care and Cardiology.

For me it depends on the procedure and what the medication is for. Example: if the patient has high blood pressure and they have BP meds I would call the Doctor and tell them the BP and ask them if they want them to receive their medication or not. Or I will call the department where they are getting the procedure and ask them what meds if any they would like me to give.

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Depends on the procedure and the meds. EGD's/abd studies with contrast can be affected by meds if given to close to time of procedure. If NPO after MN and OR is after 12, those pt's get their important meds (bp, cardiac, etc) ASAP after report. Otherwise I individualize it to the pt. Once you learn more about meds and procedures you will be able to get a better feel for how to do it. Every nurse is different and lots of hospitals I have been at really don't have specific policies on this. However after a while you get accustomed to what your docs want.

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I realize some MDs write NPO except meds, but do you give PO meds if the pt is NPO with a small sip of water?

Simple. You clarify the order with the doctor.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

Check if there is a facilty or unit policy, if there isnt then maybe there needs to be.

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A surgeon at my hospital is known to say "what part of NPO do you not understand?" If your patient is going to OR clear any med needed with the surgeon or anesthesiologist. Better to make an extra phone call than have a surgery cancelled because you gave something you should not have.

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.

As most surgeries are done as same day ones, when I have one, I ask the surgeon if I am to take my medications and which ones. I take all PO's with a small sip of water.

Woody:balloons:

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Simple. You clarify the order with the doctor.

Who either says "Why are you bothering me about this?!?! NPO means NPO!" - implying that should've known better.

or

"Why are you bothering me about this?!?!? Of course, you give X medication!" implying that you should've known better.

I know it's not always that bad, but it sure can feel that way at times.

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Who either says "Why are you bothering me about this?!?! NPO means NPO!" - implying that should've known better.

or

"Why are you bothering me about this?!?!? Of course, you give X medication!" implying that you should've known better.

I know it's not always that bad, but it sure can feel that way at times.

That's their problem. I've seen too much over the years to assume either way. I've never had a doc respond like that when I've asked about NPO and meds. It wasn't often necessary to do so, because the anesthesiologists were great about being specific in their orders.
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As a newbie, though, you don't yet know that everyone's got a different way. So when someone says "you should've known that" the newbie will tend to accept that at face value and wonder about one's competence. Especially since in school, instructors also tended to approach answering questions that way. "Well, of course, you don't give water if someone is NPO!" and "Of course, you have to give certain important meds and a few sips of water to help them go down are okay!" That was my experience much of nursing school. Maybe it was different for others. Anyway, I'm getting off-topic here.

Back to NPO and whether or not to give meds and sips of water....

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That's why I said to clarify the order. If there is a question as to whether a patient should receive certain meds (or not), then ask. :)

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