What should the nurse aid do when she is told that one of her patients has been ordered NPO after midnight?

NPO is a common medical term that means the patient can not eat or drink anything, including water or ice chips. A patient is ordered NPO by a doctor at midnight for situations such as before surgery or certain lab work. The nurse aide can provide mouth care for a customer who is NPO. Placing a “NPO” sign over the customer’s bed and on the customer’s door will remind all staff members not to give the customer anything to eat or drink.