Published Jan 13, 2013
menardca
8 Posts
Is the dumbest thing that I have every heard of. But the cherry on top is that it is 3 times a day. Crushing tums makes them chalky and a mess. Not to mention clogging the damn tube up. I have had to do this for the last 3 days and every time i start my process my mind begins to wonder 1- is there not some other medication that could be doing this better,
2- omg not again, and 3- if the doctor that wrote this stupid order had to do this just once the order would be changed due to the pure stupidity of it.
Ok I have ranted thank you. Anyone else have moments like these when doing a task and thinking boy if the doctor that wrote this order had to do this it would be changed?
Altra, BSN, RN
6,255 Posts
Think through how the patient could get the same pharmacological effects from an alternative med and ask that the order be changed. Hint: Pepcid.
BostonFNP, APRN
2 Articles; 5,582 Posts
I agree that the order may be able to be changed, but Tums to Pepcid isn't a direct substitution, especially if the Tums aren't for antacid.
KelRN215, BSN, RN
1 Article; 7,349 Posts
Tums is Calcium Carbonate. Calcium Carbonate is available in liquid suspension form. I gave it all the time in inpatient pediatrics.
Tums is calcium carbonate and 10mg famotidine. Alternative forms of both are available.
Kunzieo
199 Posts
Until you get the order changed...
Crush finely
Use HOT water to dissolve it.
Mix with 10ml regular temp water and give in tube.
Voila :)
dudette10, MSN, RN
3,530 Posts
I looked up Tums after this post. From what I read, Tums is just calcium Carbonate. Tums Dual Action contains the both active ingredients you described. Apparently, there are two formulations of Tums on the OTC market. :)
KBICU
243 Posts
Why not good ol Protonix?
I did the same thing because when I worked in the hospital, if a patient was ordered for Tums, it was ordered as "Calcium Carbonate".
amoLucia
7,736 Posts
ChristineN, BSN, RN
3,465 Posts
Is protonix crush-able??
Nope. But my hospital stocks protonix granules for this purpose