A nine-month-old patient is given a crushed tablet mixed in applesauce. Which action should the supervising nurse take?

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Multiple Choice

A nine-month-old patient is given a crushed tablet mixed in applesauce. Which action should the supervising nurse take?

Medication administration in infants requires developmentally appropriate formulations and routes. A nine-month-old typically cannot safely swallow solid tablets, and crushing a tablet can change how the medicine acts in the body or create choking risks. The supervising nurse should pause to reassess whether a crushed tablet given in applesauce is suitable for this child, and pursue an age-appropriate alternative—such as a liquid form or a different medication form—before continuing. This approach prioritizes safety and proper dosing for the patient’s developmental stage. While verifying the order and dose or watching the administration are important steps, they don’t address the fundamental issue of whether the medication form is appropriate for an infant.

Medication administration in infants requires developmentally appropriate formulations and routes. A nine-month-old typically cannot safely swallow solid tablets, and crushing a tablet can change how the medicine acts in the body or create choking risks. The supervising nurse should pause to reassess whether a crushed tablet given in applesauce is suitable for this child, and pursue an age-appropriate alternative—such as a liquid form or a different medication form—before continuing. This approach prioritizes safety and proper dosing for the patient’s developmental stage. While verifying the order and dose or watching the administration are important steps, they don’t address the fundamental issue of whether the medication form is appropriate for an infant.

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