tums in an ng tube - Page 2

Is protonix crush-able??

Nope. But my hospital stocks protonix granules for this purpose

Are they using the tums as a phosphate binder though?

Some reason why nobody has approached the physician for a different medication? Never assume that physicians know the realities of nursing care-- they are not experts in nursing.

why not just use liquid maalox?... it's calcium carbonate too

Protonix tablets are enteric coated but, like Calcium Carbonate, it too is available in a liquid suspension form. I've come across very few meds in my day that weren't available as liquids and/or couldn't be compounded... in pediatrics, not too many little ones can swallow pills.

We use Tums for the calcium, not for an anti-acid. A lot of our elderly patients are on Tums, because it is a good source of calcium, and it is cheap.