Why is a patient NPO primarily?

• A. To prevent dehydration
• B. To prevent aspiration
• C. To improve hydration
• D. To reduce nausea

Answer: (B)

Nothing by mouth before procedures is done to minimize the risk of aspirating stomach contents into the lungs during anesthesia or sedation when protective airway reflexes are reduced. If the stomach is full, vomiting or reflux can be drawn into the airway, leading to chemical pneumonitis or pneumonia. Keeping the stomach empty lowers both the likelihood and potential severity of that event, which is why aspiration prevention is the primary purpose. Dehydration prevention, hydration improvements, or reducing nausea aren’t the main goals of NPO; withholding oral intake would not accomplish those, and IV fluids or other measures would be used if hydration is needed.