A patient is receiving a sustained-release capsule for his cardiac condition. The patient tells the nurse there is no way he can swallow such a large pill. What is the best response by the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

CSustained-release capsules are designed to release their medication over time and should not be tampered with unless specifically designed to do so. Opening or crushing these capsules can lead to the immediate release of the entire dose, which can be dangerous. However, some sustained-release formulations are designed to allow for the contents to be sprinkled on food if swallowing is difficult, but this should only be done if the medication's prescribing information specifically allows it. Therefore, contacting the physician (A) is the best initial step to ensure the patient's safety and to explore alternative formulations or medications. Sprinkling the contents over food (C) may be an option, but only after confirmation from the physician or by checking the medication's guidelines.

A Patient Is Receiving a Sustained-Release Capsule for His Cardiac