When a medication is ordered to be given PO, how is it administered?

When a medication is ordered to be given PO, it stands for "per os," which is a Latin term meaning "by mouth." This method involves the administration of medication through the oral route, allowing the patient to swallow the medication. This form of administration is commonly used because it is typically easy and convenient, allowing for a wide variety of medication forms, such as tablets, capsules, and liquid solutions, to be ingested with water or another appropriate vehicle.

The other methods mentioned, such as placing medication in the cheek or under the tongue, refer to buccal and sublingual routes, respectively. These routes are used for specific types of medications that require rapid absorption into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. Instilling medication in the nasal cavity refers to another distinct route of administration and is not associated with the PO designation. Thus, the designation of PO specifically indicates that the medicine should be taken orally and not via any alternative method.