PONV

Medical abbreviation · Anesthesia

PONV
Stands forPostoperative nausea and vomiting
CategoriesMedical

PONV stands for Postoperative nausea and vomiting, an anesthesia abbreviation.

Nausea, retching or vomiting in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, affecting about 30 percent of surgical patients overall and up to around 80 percent of those at high risk. It delays discharge, distresses patients and can contribute to wound and aspiration complications.

Example: Apfel score 4: dexamethasone and ondansetron given, propofol TIVA planned to limit PONV.

Usage notes

The simplified Apfel score counts four risk factors: female sex, nonsmoking, a history of PONV or motion sickness, and postoperative opioids. Prevention combines lowering baseline risk (regional anesthesia, propofol-based anesthesia, opioid sparing) with antiemetics from different drug classes. Post-discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) matters increasingly in outpatient surgery.

More anesthesia abbreviations

  • Mac – Macintosh
  • MH – Malignant hyperthermia
  • NMB – Neuromuscular blockade (blocker)
  • NORA – Non-operating room anesthesia
  • PDPH – Post-dural puncture headache
  • PNB – Peripheral nerve block
  • RCRI – Revised Cardiac Risk Index
  • SAB – Subarachnoid block (spinal anesthesia)
  • SGA – Supraglottic airway
  • STOP-Bang – Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Pressure, BMI, Age, Neck size…
  • Sux – Succinylcholine
  • TAP – Transversus abdominis plane (block)

See all 34 anesthesia abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.