Changing medication Forms

[cfaith]

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?

[SaoirseRN]

When I have a patient ordered oral potassium who can't swallow pills, I call the pharmacy and have them send liquid KCl instead, no doctor involved. Usually though the doctors don't specify "tablets", rather just the dose PO, so as long as what I'm giving is the correct PO dose, the form shouldn't matter.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

When I have a patient ordered oral potassium who can't swallow pills I call the pharmacy and have them send liquid KCl instead, no doctor involved. Usually though the doctors don't specify "tablets", rather just the dose PO, so as long as what I'm giving is the correct PO dose, the form shouldn't matter.[/quote']

Exactly what I was going to say... I was thinking the oral potassium as an example too...

[jmll1765, ASN, RN]

When I have a patient ordered oral potassium who can't swallow pills, I call the pharmacy and have them send liquid KCl instead, no doctor involved. Usually though the doctors don't specify "tablets", rather just the dose PO, so as long as what I'm giving is the correct PO dose, the form shouldn't matter.

Me too. Most of our patients are on potassium replacement protocols that specify either oral or IV. I can order liquid or tablet under the protocol.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

If it is going to cost more, you may need a doc's order, esp. LTC

When I have a patient ordered oral potassium who can't swallow pills, I call the pharmacy and have them send liquid KCl instead, no doctor involved. Usually though the doctors don't specify "tablets", rather just the dose PO, so as long as what I'm giving is the correct PO dose, the form shouldn't matter.

[SaoirseRN]

If it is going to cost more you may need a doc's order, esp. LTC[/quote']

In Canada, so maybe that's the difference but it has never been a problem. I just tell pharmacy that the patient cannot swallow whole pills and ask for the liquid, and that is what they will send.