54. A client with chronic pancreatitis is placed on pancrelipase (Pancrease) three times daily. What information is essential to teach with this medication?
54. A client with chronic pancreatitis is placed on pancrelipase (Pancrease) three times daily. What information is essential to teach with this medication?
. Observe for diarrhea.
. Take the medication with meals.
. Chew tablets, or allow enteric-coated tablets to dissolve in the mouth.
. Take the medication every 8 hours.
Test-Taking Tip
Three of the four options relate to medication administration. In this case, do not assume that the odd option is correct. Time element is the key here—with meals versus every 8 hours. Note that "three times daily" in the stem refers to three times with meals per day, not every 8 hours (Answer 4). Answer 1 is inappropriate because the client has steatorrhea, not diarrhea. Answer 3 is contraindicated with any enteric-coated tablet. Answer 4 is inappropriate because pancrelipase (Pancrease) is an enzyme to be taken with meals.
Content Area: Adult Health, Gastrointestinal; Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies/Medication Administration
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Answer 1 is incorrect because the medication should decrease the number and type of bowel movements from malabsorption and steatorrhea. Answer 2 is correct because pancreatic enzymes must be taken with meals to assist in digestion. Food will protect the enzymes in the medication from destruction by the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, making them available for digestion. Answer 3 is incorrect because enteric-coated tablets should not be chewed or dissolved in the mouth. The coating is to protect the medication from gastric enzymes. Answer 4 is incorrect because the medication should be taken with meals to promote the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and protein.