Question

The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed an enteri-coated drug. What should the nurse inform the client about administration of this drug?

a) Take with an antacid
b) Crush and mix with food
c) Take on an empty stomach
d) Chew before swallowing

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the client to take an enteric-coated drug on an empty stomach to ensure proper absorption and prevent damage or irritation to the stomach lining. Crushing, chewing, or taking with antacids would disrupt the protective coating.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the question regarding the administration of an enteric-coated drug is c) Take on an empty stomach. Enteric-coated drugs are designed with a special coating that protects the medication from being released in the stomach. This is because the acid in the stomach can damage some medications, or the medication can irritate the stomach lining. By allowing the drug to pass through the stomach and releasing further down in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, this ensures that the drug is absorbed in the correct area, such as in the intestines, without being destroyed or causing irritation.

It is important not to chew, crush, or break enteric-coated tablets, as this would disrupt the coating and could result in the drug being released too early, causing side effects or decreased effectiveness. Therefore, options a), b), and d) are incorrect for the safe administration of an enteric-coated drug.