Which medications are allowed to be crushed?

The correct response highlights the importance of adhering to specific guidelines related to medication administration, particularly in long-term care or assisted living settings. Medications that are listed in the resident's Medication Administration Record (MAR) as safe for crushing have been assessed for their formulation and therapeutic effectiveness when altered.

Some medications may be formulated in a way that allows for crushing without affecting their safety or efficacy, whereas others may have special coating, sustained-release properties, or may be irritants to the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. By only crushing those medications specified in the MAR, you would ensure adherence to best practices and minimize the risk of adverse effects or diminished effectiveness.

This practice respects the medical team’s decisions on how each specific medication should be administered, considering the individual patient's needs and the specific properties of their medications. Options suggesting that all medications can be crushed or all tablets disregards critical safety measures and individualized care. Liquid medications usually do not need to be crushed, as they are already in a suitable form for administration.