Final answer:
When a 20mg dose of enteric-coated Pantoprazole is ordered but only 40mg tablets are available, do not split the tablet. Consult a pharmacist for a lower dose or liquid form and confer with the prescribing physician for a suitable treatment plan while maintaining medication integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to administering a dose of Pantoprazole to a patient who is on enteral feeds. If you only have 40mg enteric-coated tablets and the patient's order is for 20mg, you would typically not split the tablet, as enteric-coated tablets are designed to resist stomach acid and splitting them could alter their effectiveness.
In this situation, you should check with a pharmacist to see if a 20mg enteric-coated tablet is available, or if the medication is available in a liquid form that could be administered via enteral feeding. Additionally, you may need to consult with the prescribing physician to find the best solution for administering the correct dose without compromising the enteric coating, which is crucial for the proper pharmacokinetics and tolerability of the medication.