Final answer:
A mortar is the instrument used to crush pills into a fine powder, aiding in alternative methods of medication administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The brief you have provided does not contain a direct answer to the student's question. However, based on common knowledge in the health field, the instrument used to crush pills is a mortar and pestle. This tool has been used since ancient times to crush various substances, and in the context of medication, it helps to grind pills into a fine powder. This can be necessary when a patient needs to take medication in a different form than a whole pill, such as in a liquid mixture or via a feeding tube.