 [ Symptoms ] what is ro encephalopathy i know that encephalopathy is a brain disease but i need more information please [ Disease ] i am thinking you saw this on an order for a test ro is medical shorthand for rule out  it is a commonly used abbreviation to state why the health care provider is ordering the test in this case the test was done to rule out encephalopathy for those who may be reading this and do not know what encephalopathy is it is a condition in which the brain suffers damage or problems from poisons that have not been adequately filtered from the bloodstream by the liver encephalopathy is one possible complication of cirrhosis of the liver i wish you all the best