Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

If a patient is unable to swallow a capsule that contains beaded medication, what should the nurse do?

1. Sprinkle the contents of the capsule over a dish of pudding or ice cream.

2. Open the capsule, crush the contents, and place in a measured volume of syrup.

3. Empty the capsule into a small measured volume of syrup.

4. Empty the capsule into a teaspoon and administer dry.

The correct answer is: Empty the capsule into a small measured volume of syrup.

The correct response is to empty the capsule into a small measured volume of syrup. This approach allows for the medication to remain in its beaded form, which may be important for its release characteristics. Some medications are formulated with beads that are designed for delayed or extended release, and opening the capsule and crushing the contents can alter how the medication is absorbed, potentially leading to adverse effects or reduced efficacy. This method of using syrup helps to mask the taste of the beads while ensuring that the patient can ingest the medication easily. It is also crucial for the nurse to ensure that the volume of syrup used is small enough to allow for accurate dosing, as well as to confirm that the medication can be safely mixed with a liquid. By using syrup rather than something thick or dense, the medication can be swallowed more easily and absorbed properly. While other methods like sprinkling over pudding or ice cream could seem appealing, they could change the bioavailability of the medication. Crushing the contents can also pose a risk, as it may create an uneven release of the drug or be unsuitable for certain formulations that rely on the integrity of the capsule for proper absorption. Administering dry would likely lead to difficulty swallowing, further complicating the patient’s ability to take the medication. Thus