feeding tube question!!

[sprintin08]

which of the following meds can NOT be given through a nasogastric or feeding tube?

lasix 40mg

cartia XT

cardizem 30mg

amoxicillin 500mg

dilantin 200mg

...i cant find it anywhere in my drug book this is the first time i am learning about feeding tubes and stuff, so i am not really sure what the answer is or if it has to do w/ whether the pills can be crushed or not!! any help would be greatly appreciated:)

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

It definitely has to do with the crushing of the pill. The only way you get pills down a PEG or NGT is to crush them. If I remember correctly, the cardizem pills under 120mg are immediate release tablets. So you can give the 30mg down the tube, but the Cartia xt is an extended release capsule form of cardizem....which you do not want to crush. Tell me why you wouldn't crush an extended release tablet; or any capsule period..example would be something simple like a nexium capsule.

[WeirdNurseKelly, BSN, RN]

The exact same thing that sprintin08 crossed my mind too. I couldnt tell you what those drugs were without looking them but. But I would definately be checking to see whether or not you could crush them. That will tell you whether or not you can give the med through a feeding tube.

To answer your question about extended release. You would not crush them because they are set to release the medication over a period of time (say 12 hours). By crushing the tablet, the extended release mechanism no longer exists. The pt will get the entire dose at once instead of gradually over a period of time (the 12 hours, or whatever). Please correct me if I am wrong.

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

yep that's right

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If the name of the pill is followed by an abbreviation that denotes it as extended release (EC, ER, XT, XL, XR, etc.), it is not to be crushed. It may be scored, but never crushed.

Since all pills given via feeding tubes must be crushed and mixed with liquid, you are not supposed to give an extended release pill via feeding tube. Therefore, I would have selected Cartia XT as the one that should not be given through the tube.

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

I assumed they knew XT was extended release, vs. IR which would be immediate release. but yeah, check to see if you can or cannot crush something.. is what we're getting at.