Which prescribed medication can the nurse instruct the client to crush if needed?
Metoprolol XL
C Ibuprofen EC
Morphine ER
Acetaminophen
The Correct Answer is D
A) Metoprolol XL: Metoprolol XL (extended-release) should not be crushed. Crushing extended-release formulations can result in the rapid release of the drug, leading to an overdose or adverse effects due to the immediate release of the full dose. The nurse should advise the client to swallow this medication whole.
B) Ibuprofen EC (enteric-coated): Enteric-coated medications should not be crushed. The enteric coating is designed to protect the stomach lining by preventing the medication from being released in the stomach. Crushing the tablet would destroy this protective mechanism and could irritate the stomach lining, leading to discomfort or ulceration.
C) Morphine ER (extended-release): Extended-release formulations of morphine should never be crushed. Crushing extended-release formulations can lead to a potentially fatal overdose because it releases the entire dose of medication at once. This can cause respiratory depression and other life-threatening effects.
D) Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen in its regular tablet form can be safely crushed if needed. Crushing acetaminophen does not affect its effectiveness or safety, and it is a non-extended-release formulation, making it safe for manipulation when necessary, such as for clients with difficulty swallowing. However, it's essential to verify with the specific prescription, as acetaminophen is also available in extended-release formulations, which should not be crushed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Cut the 50 mcg/hr patch in half to obtain 25 mcg/hr dosing: Cutting a fentanyl patch in half is not recommended because it can lead to inconsistent dosing. The patches are designed to release medication at a controlled rate, and cutting them could cause the medication to be released too quickly or unevenly, which could result in overdose or insufficient relief of pain. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and avoid altering the patch.
B) Ask pharmacy to send a 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch: The best course of action is to ask the pharmacy to send the correct 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch. This ensures that the patient receives the prescribed dose in the most accurate and safe manner. The 25 mcg/hr patch is formulated to deliver the correct amount of medication, and it will avoid any risk associated with altering the patch.
C) Contact the healthcare provider and request to increase the dose to 50 mcg/hr: Requesting an increase in the dose is premature without a clear justification from the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider decreased the dose to 25 mcg/hr for a reason, possibly due to side effects, effectiveness, or other clinical factors. Altering the prescribed dose without a proper review would be inappropriate. The nurse should follow the current prescribed dose and resolve the issue by requesting the correct patch from the pharmacy.
D) Remove the previous patch and apply the 50 mcg/hr patch in a different location: Switching to the 50 mcg/hr patch without approval could lead to administering an incorrect dose of fentanyl, which can increase the risk of overdose or severe side effects like respiratory depression. The nurse should adhere to the prescribed 25 mcg/hr dose and request the correct patch from the pharmacy rather than substituting with a higher dose patch.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This action reflects the planning phase of the nursing process, where the nurse sets measurable and achievable goals based on the client's assessment data.
Here’s how the other options fall into different phases:
A. Demonstrating how to perform a blood glucose test = Implementation (teaching/intervention).
C. Administering insulin = Implementation (carrying out an intervention).
D. Checking blood glucose level = Assessment (gathering data).
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