A patient asks the nurse if an enteric-coated tablet can be crushed and put in pudding to make it easier to swallow. How will the nurse respond to the patient?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets must be swallowed whole to maintain a therapeutic drug level since they are designed to be absorbed in the small intestine. If crushed, an initial excessive release of the drug may occur, causing toxicity. Enteric-coated tablets should not be dissolved in liquid.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Patients giving subcutaneous medication should be taught not to aspirate after inserting the needle. They should not apply pressure. The needle should be inserted at a 45- to 90-degree angle. Absorption is slower with this route than with the intramuscular and intravenous (IV) routes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The proper size syringe for ID injection is 1-mL tuberculin. The other syringes pictured are incorrect. Insulin syringes (marked in units) are not used for intradermal injections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The Z-track method is used for medications known to irritate tissues or for medications that are painful or cause stains to the tissues. It also prevents the deposit of medication into more sensitive subcutaneous tissues. The other options are not appropriate situations for the Z-track method.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Medications that fall to the floor must be discarded, and the procedure must be repeated with new medications. The other actions are not appropriate.