A client scheduled for a myelogram should adhere to NPO instructions. Which statement demonstrates understanding?

• A. I can eat a light meal before the test.
• B. I can drink water up to 2 hours before the test.
• C. I will abstain from eating or drinking before the test.
• D. I can drink coffee with milk before the test.

Answer: (C)

NPO means nothing by mouth to keep the stomach empty before procedures that may require sedation or anesthesia. For a myelogram, which involves spinal access and often anesthesia, keeping the stomach empty reduces the risk of aspiration if vomiting occurs during the procedure. The statement that demonstrates understanding is abstaining from eating or drinking before the test. Eating a light meal, drinking water, or having coffee would violate NPO and could increase the risk of aspiration, so those would not be appropriate before the test.