An older patient is prescribed a large calcium tablet every day but objects because it is difficult to swallow it without choking. What action should the nurse take in this situation?
A) Substitute a glass of milk for the tablet
B) Ask the physician if it can be discontinued
C) Find the most concentrated form of the same dose
D) Ask the patient to swallow the tablet along with food or drink
C
Feedback:
Calcium is needed by any elderly person, and in greater amounts than provided by a glass of milk. Also, many people are lactose intolerant. Tablets from various sources differ in size and shape, making some easier to swallow than others. Taking a tablet with food and perhaps even crushing it if the tablet is not coated, may help somewhat, but a smaller tablet is the easiest solution. Discontinuing the supplement is not a viable option.
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