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."
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.
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