What does 'PO' mean in prescriptions?

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Prepare for the Missouri State CMT Test. Study with comprehensive materials including flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each quiz question provides hints and explanations to ensure you're exam-ready!

Multiple Choice

What does 'PO' mean in prescriptions?

Explanation:
In prescriptions, PO means by mouth. It comes from the Latin phrase per os, literally “by mouth,” and it indicates the medication should be taken orally—swallowed as a tablet, capsule, or liquid to be absorbed through the digestive tract. This contrasts with other routes like rectal (per rectum), inhaled, or topical (applied to the skin). Some settings prefer spelling out “by mouth” to avoid misreading, but PO is a standard shorthand for oral administration.

In prescriptions, PO means by mouth. It comes from the Latin phrase per os, literally “by mouth,” and it indicates the medication should be taken orally—swallowed as a tablet, capsule, or liquid to be absorbed through the digestive tract. This contrasts with other routes like rectal (per rectum), inhaled, or topical (applied to the skin). Some settings prefer spelling out “by mouth” to avoid misreading, but PO is a standard shorthand for oral administration.

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