PO (By Mouth)
PO, from the Latin per os, indicates that a medication is taken by mouth.
Definition
PO, from the Latin per os, indicates that a medication is taken by mouth.
Why it matters
The route must match the prescriber's order and be clearly documented to reduce medication errors.
What Should I Document? 100 OASIS Situations Home Health Nurses Face Every Day
100 real OASIS scenarios, worked end to end — clinical situation, common mistake, better approach, and key takeaway. Built around OASIS-E2 (effective April 1, 2026) to turn what you assess into accurate, defensible documentation.
Listen While You Read
Conversations on medication
Episodes from Inside Home Health that put PO (By Mouth) in operational context.







