NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

What is the priority action by the nurse when ordered to give enteric-coated aspirin, 300 mg every day, to a patient with a nasogastric tube?

1. Crush the tablet and administer through tube

2. Put the tablet in the tube and "milk" it down the tube

3. Substitute plain aspirin and administer through the tube

4. Withhold the medication and contact the physician

The correct answer is: Withhold the medication and contact the physician

When administering enteric-coated aspirin, it is crucial to retain the tablet's coating intact for proper absorption in the intestines rather than the stomach. In the case of a patient with a nasogastric tube, the tube bypasses the acidic environment of the stomach, promoting the breakdown of the enteric coating prematurely, leading to potential irritation of the gastric mucosa. Therefore, the priority action for the nurse in this situation is to withhold the medication and contact the physician. This will allow for a more appropriate medication order (e.g., alternative formulation or route) to be provided to ensure the patient receives the therapy safely and effectively. Options A and B could harm the patient due to the potential damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal system as the enteric-coated tablet should not be crushed or inserted into the tube and "milked" down. Option C is not recommended because substituting plain aspirin for enteric-coated aspirin could alter the intended therapeutic effects of the medication.