Final answer:
Florence Simoneski's medical team needs to find an alternative to her enteric-coated aspirin tablets due to her inability to swallow them. Alternatives can include IV therapy, rectal administration, or liquid medications, and addressing her dehydration is a critical component of her care.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Florence Simoneski, age 78, is hospitalized with dehydration and is too weak to swallow her enteric-coated aspirin tablets for arthritis, her medication regimen needs to be adjusted. It is essential to consult with her healthcare provider to discuss alternative forms of pain management and anti-inflammatory medication that can be administered considering her difficulty swallowing and current health status.
Alternatives to oral medication could include intravenous therapy, rectal administration, or liquid formulations that might be easier for her to ingest or absorb. The healthcare team might also consider whether a different medication or therapy such as physical therapy could help manage her arthritis symptoms more effectively during her hospital stay.
It's critical to address her dehydration, as it can exacerbate weakness and further complicate her ability to take medications orally. Therefore, her hydration status should be closely monitored, and she should receive appropriate fluids to correct the dehydration.