Giving pills

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Specializes in Telemetry, Neuro, Renal, Ortho.

Hey everyone. I was wondering if anyone else ever gets nervous when giving certain patients pills. Even if a patient tells me they can swallow pills ok and I'm not sure if they really can, I feel better crushing them and putting them in applesauce. I especially hate those rediculously huge potassium pills. Why are they so freakin big?

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I was told by experienced RNs that you should do a bedside swallow eval, just ask the pt to drink a sip of water first. If they have to troubles, give them pills, because I have seen pts that was ordered swallow eval but result is not available before I am giving meds.... If you ever question a pt's ability to swallow, contact the pharmacy to see if you can crush it, for sure...

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Specializes in LTC.

I open up the potassium capsules and mix them into applesauce.

I would be petrified to swallow one of those myself let alone make a patient swallow them.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

Be care opening K capsules. If you have question about a patient able to swallow pills just get the K change to elixir to be safe after examining the patients ability to take pills. Just a thought.

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Specializes in LTC.
Be care opening K capsules. If you have question about a patient able to swallow pills just get the K change to elixir to be safe after examining the patients ability to take pills. Just a thought.

The order says may open capsule but do not crush contents.

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Specializes in MedSurg/Tele.

I also get so nervous giving certain patient pills. I think the speech language pathologists get annoyed b/c I place so many swallow eval consults! ha. But yes, when in doubt, I always crush or try to get dissolvable tabs/iv/elixir when possible. why take chances?

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

We have K+ tablets in 20 meq and 10 meq. If the pt c/o big pills, I usually give the 10 meq tabs. They are smaller and round and easier to swallow. The problem is sometimes the pt has to take twice as many pills.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

You say 'certain patients' - do they have a history of swallowing difficulties? Have they had a hard time taking their pills before?

I have seen patients take as many as 14 pills at one time!! I take 9 pills every morning, split 6 & 3, with the K-Chlor (2 tabs) and ASA EC as the 3. My husband is always amazed - he needs to take his one at a time.

Pills crushed into any substance may not taste very good, and then you need to be certain that all of the applesauce/pudding/whatever is ingested. I have seen too many pts take only a little of the applesauce and then decide they weren't hungry! Now what to do?

Like I said, unless there is truly a question of swallowing problems, I think the issue here is - - How many pills can YOU swallow? !!

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

As nurses our job is not always easy...we just to do what is better for the patient at that particular moment. If were not receiving proper or good shift report on the patient...we may go in blind.

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