Mr. Jones scenario: Mr. Jones is a 72-year-old patient who r…
Mr. Jones scenario: Mr. Jones is a 72-year-old patient who recently had a stroke and has difficulty swallowing. He is prescribed several oral medications, including an enteric-coated aspirin tablet and a sustained-release blood pressure medication. A nursing assistant crushes both medications and mixes them into applesauce to make swallowing easier. Approximately one hour later, Mr. Jones reports dizziness, weakness, and blurred vision when standing. During ambulation, he becomes unsteady and nearly falls. Assessment reveals that his blood pressure is significantly lower than his baseline. The healthcare team reviews the medication administration process to determine whether a drug-form error may have occurred. The provider asks the staff to identify which medication preparations should never be crushed. The patient’s swallowing difficulty automatically justifies crushing any oral medication.
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