Changing medication Forms

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Specializes in Addiction.

Can/should a RN change a mediction form without an MD order. ex MAR reads: ASA 325mg PO every am (one 325mg tablet).

the nurse med room nurses crushs the med or change it to a BC powder without an MD order.

How do you feel about this?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I guess it would depend on the situation....we crush to put in a suspension solution or water to give to our kids because it doesn't come any other way. Is it a person who can't swallow pills? But you also have to be aware that certain things can NOT be crushed.

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Changing the form is going from IV to PO or subq. Crush a PO tablet and it's still going in PO, right? As long as you're working with something that is safe being crushed I see no issue here.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

what do you mean by "form"?

If you mean route, then yes, you need an MD order to change the route

If you mean paperwork, then no, as long as the route is the same

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Specializes in Addiction.
what do you mean by "form"?

If you mean route, then yes, you need an MD order to change the route

If you mean paperwork, then no, as long as the route is the same

If MAR says tablet can I change to liquid or a powder?

If it gum can I change it to lozenger?

If it says suppository can I change it to solution and give as an enema???

Those type of changes? Not the route ....

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

If it says suppository can I change it to solution and give as an enema???

Do you mind giving an example of this?

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Sign....is this home work?

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I think the person to ask is your risk manager or Educator, if you are in a facility. If this is homework, I would lean towards ALWAYS following orders to the letter. You can learn in practice what the law is for your area and what the practice is in your facility.

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Specializes in Addiction.

no:) not homework, not anymore. I'm waiting to hear from my practice board. just taking the temp on here. I am the Clinical Improvement specialist/Educator for my facility :) Great minds think a like!

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Specializes in Addiction.

Steriod suppository

, nurse gave steriod enema as replacement as it was available.

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Specializes in Addiction.

This the only statement from this states parctice act...

"Implementing the treatment and pharmaceutical regimen prescribed by

any person authorized by State law to prescribe the regimen."

I'm seeking information as to when a nurse (RN &/or LPN) might change this "prescribed regimen" without consulting the person ordering it....

So for all I have is what are the facilities policy.. looks like we need to write some ??????

Thanks for everyones input.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
If MAR says tablet can I change to liquid or a powder?

If it gum can I change it to lozenger?

If it says suppository can I change it to solution and give as an enema???

Those type of changes? Not the route ....

Sorry, but this is kinda a pet peeve of mine. The word (at least in the US) is lozenge. Hearing "lozenger" gives me shivers. I don't know why it bothers me so much...it just does.

Anyway, I would call the doc on the suppository vs. enema one. There might be a reason why a doc would not want a volume of liquid instilled into someones rectum.

As for crushing a pill--there is no reason this can't be done unless it is something that cannot be crushed (like a SR tab).

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