The nurse is caring for a client who has medications ordered to be given PO. The client asks the nurse what PO means. What is the best response by the nurse?

1. PO medications are given orally.
2. PO medications are given rectally.
3. PO medications are given intramuscularly.
4. PO medications are given vaginally.


1

Rationale 1: PO is the medical abbreviation for by mouth (oral).
Rationale 2: PO is the medical abbreviation for by mouth (oral).The abbreviation for rectally is PR.
Rationale 3: PO is the medical abbreviation for by mouth (oral). The abbreviation for intramuscular is IM.
Rationale 4: PO is the medical abbreviation for by mouth (oral).The abbreviation for vaginally is V or PV.

Global Rationale: PO is the medical abbreviation for by mouth or by the oral route. These medications are not given rectally (PR), intramuscularly (IM), or vaginally (V or PV).

Nursing

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