Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 81%
Full-length
In preparing medications for a client with a gastrostomy tube, the nurse should contact the health care provider before administering which of the following drugs through the tube?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
Cardizem SR is a 'sustained-release' drug form. Sustained release (controlled-release, long-acting) drug formulations are designed to release the drug over an extended period of time. If crushed, as would be required for gastrostomy tube administration, sustained-release properties and blood levels of the drug will be altered. The provider must substitute another medication.