Guidelines for Preoperative Fasting: “NPO” Instructions
Revised by James L. Rothschiller, MD on 02-23-2014
You may hear “NPO” instructions, Nil per os or NPO is a medical instruction meaning to withhold oral food and fluids from a patient. The purpose of these NPO guidelines is to enhance the quality and efficiency of anesthesia care and reduce the severity of complications from pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents (inhaling stomach contents), should it occur.
Please follow these instructions carefully to avoid cancellations.
ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGE > 6 years NPO ORDERS:
10 PM
No solid food or milk after 10 p.m. (EYE/ENT surgeries start early, 6-7 AM)
4 Hours:
Clear Liquids are allowed until 4 hours prior to the scheduled procedure, unless otherwise directed by your anesthesiologist.
(Water, Pedialyte, apple juice, Gatorade, Popsicles)
CHILDREN AGE ≤ 6 years NPO ORDERS:
6 Hours:
Solid Low-Fat food is allowed until 6 hours prior to the scheduled procedure for children 6 years or younger.
(Infant formulas, non-human (cow’s) milk, cereals, breads, fruit juice with pulp)
4 Hours:
Breast Milk is allowed until 4 hours prior to the scheduled procedure.
2 Hours:
Clear Liquids are allowed until 2 hours prior to the scheduled procedure.
(Water, Pedialyte, apple juice, Gatorade, Popsicles)
MEDICATIONS may be taken as prescribed with up to 30 ml (1 oz) of water one hour before the induction of anesthesia. Please stop taking herbal medications and diet drugs at least one week prior to surgery.
INHALERS or NEBULIZERS for asthma may be given as prescribed anytime prior to the scheduled procedure.
PATIENTS WITH SEASONAL ALLERGIES AND/OR POSTNASAL DRIP:
The day before and the morning of the procedure all patients need to have the nasal decongestant Afrin® (Oxymetazoline) sprayed into each nostril.
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