The health care provider prescribes Cardizem SR (diltiazem) for a client with a nasogastric tube. When administering this medication by this route, which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Question

1. Pouring the liquid inside the capsule into a syringe to administer it via nasogastric tube
2. Crushing the capsule with a mortar and pestle to administer it via nasogastric tube
3. Holding the medication because it cannot be given via nasogastric tube
4. Calling the health care provider and requesting a different medication order

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
The nurse needs to call the health care provider and request a different medication order, because a medication with the initials "SR" indicates it is a sustained-release medication, so the capsule cannot be crushed or broken without risking an overdosage. Sustained-release medications are released gradually, providing a longer effectiveness period, resulting in fewer administrations, but breaking the capsule eliminates the prolonged effect and administers the entire dosage at one time. Holding the drug because it cannot be given via nasogastric tube without consulting the health care provider could result in cardiac complications caused by lack of a required medication.