Author Question: A patient is ordered to take an extended-release medication twice daily but has difficulty ... (Read 76 times)

tiara099 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient is ordered to take an extended-release medication twice daily but has difficulty swallowing the tablet because of its size. The nurse will perform which action?

a. Contact the provider to discuss an alternate form of the medication.
b. Crush the tablet and put it in applesauce to help the patient swallow it.
c. Cut the tablet in half so the patient can take it more easily.
d. Dissolve the tablet in liquid.

Question 2

A patient asks the nurse if an enteric-coated tablet can be crushed and put in pudding to make it easier to swallow. How will the nurse respond to the patient?

a. Crushing the medication can lead to a possibly toxic medication dose.
b. Crushing the medication is safe and can prevent gagging on pills.
c. The tablet may be done if a small amount of pudding is used.
d. The tablet may be dissolved in liquid but not crushed and put in food.

randomguy133 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Enteric-coated and extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole to maintain a therapeutic drug level since they are designed to be absorbed in the small intestine. If crushed, an initial excessive release of the drug may occur, causing toxicity. Enteric-coated or extended-release tablets should not be dissolved in liquid. The nurse should contact the provider to discuss another form of the medication.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Enteric-coated tablets must be swallowed whole to maintain a therapeutic drug level since they are designed to be absorbed in the small intestine. If crushed, an initial excessive release of the drug may occur, causing toxicity. Enteric-coated tablets should not be dissolved in liquid.