A nurse is caring for client who has difficulty swallowing medications and is prescribed enteric-coated aspirin PO once daily. The client asks the medication can be crushed to make it easier to swallow. Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?
Crushing the medication would release all the medication at once, rather than over time."
Crushing the medication might cause you to have a stomachache or indigestion.
"Crushing the medication is a good idea, and I can mix in some ice cream for you."
"Crushing is unsafe, as it destroys the ingredients in the medication."
The Correct Answer is B
A) Crushing the medication would release all the medication at once, rather than over time:. Enteric-coated aspirin is designed to bypass the stomach and release the medication in the small intestine to avoid irritation of the stomach lining. Crushing the tablet could potentially release the entire dose all at once, which could lead to gastrointestinal irritation, but this isn't the primary concern. The key issue is that crushing destroys the enteric coating, which is crucial for protecting the stomach.
B) Crushing the medication might cause you to have a stomachache or indigestion:
Enteric-coated medications are specifically designed to protect the stomach lining by delaying the release of the drug until it reaches the small intestine. Crushing the medication would destroy the enteric coating, which can lead to stomach irritation, upset, or even ulcer formation due to the direct exposure of the stomach lining to the medication. Therefore, crushing could cause significant discomfort or damage to the digestive system.
C) "Crushing the medication is a good idea, and I can mix in some ice cream for you.":
Crushing enteric-coated medications, such as aspirin, can lead to adverse effects like stomach irritation, ulceration, and poor absorption. The nurse should not recommend this method of administration without first consulting with the prescribing provider or pharmacist to explore alternatives.
D) "Crushing is unsafe, as it destroys the ingredients in the medication.":
Crushing does not destroy the active ingredients in the medication, but it does destroy the enteric coating, which is the key concern. The enteric coating's function is to prevent the aspirin from irritating the stomach. While it's important to recognize that crushing is unsafe, the reason is more about the loss of this protective coating rather than the destruction of the medication's active ingredients themselves.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Researcher:
The nurse is gathering evidence-based practice (EBP) on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), which involves systematically collecting, analyzing, and reviewing existing studies or guidelines to inform clinical practice. This is the role of the researcher in EBP. Nurses in this role contribute to improving patient outcomes by identifying best practices, assessing existing evidence, and implementing findings to reduce complications, such as CAUTIs.
B) Nurse manager:
While a nurse manager may oversee quality improvement projects, staffing, and other operational aspects of nursing care, they are not typically the ones actively gathering evidence-based data themselves. Nurse managers may utilize the findings from research but are not directly involved in the research process unless leading specific studies.
C) Case manager:
A case manager primarily coordinates care for individual patients, ensuring they receive the appropriate resources and follow-up care. They help manage the continuity of care across different settings but do not focus on gathering or researching evidence for clinical practices. Their role is more focused on patient outcomes and care delivery rather than generating evidence.
D) Educator:
While an educator might be involved in teaching staff or patients about preventing CAUTI, the role described in the question specifically refers to gathering evidence-based practice information. Educators may use research findings in their teaching, but gathering evidence is a distinct activity that fits the role of the researcher in EBP.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Holds their hands below the elbows while rinsing off soap:
This is the correct practice when performing hand hygiene. To prevent contamination, hands should be kept below the elbows while rinsing to allow the water and soap to flow downward and away from the clean hands. This helps to avoid contaminating the hands with water running down the forearms.
B) Uses hot water to wash their hands:
The temperature of the water should be warm, not hot. Hot water can irritate the skin and cause dryness, which may lead to skin breaks, a potential route for pathogen entry. Therefore, warm water is recommended for hand hygiene, as it is effective and more comfortable for the skin.
C) Turns off the faucet with their hands:
The faucet should be turned off using a paper towel or another method that avoids re-contaminating the hands after washing. Using clean hands to turn off the faucet would defeat the purpose of hand hygiene, as the faucet handle is a common area for bacterial contamination.
D) Washes their hands for 10 seconds:
The proper duration for washing hands is at least 20 seconds, not 10. This ensures that enough time is taken to properly clean all surfaces of the hands, including the palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails. Shortening this time can lead to inadequate cleansing, leaving pathogens on the hands.
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