If a patient reports stomach discomfort from an oral drug, what should the nurse ask the prescriber?

In the scenario where a patient experiences stomach discomfort from an oral medication, it is prudent for the nurse to consider an enteric-coated formulation of the drug. Enteric-coated medications are specifically designed to withstand the acidic environment of the stomach and dissolve in the more neutral pH of the intestines. This can help minimize gastric irritation and discomfort that may arise from the active ingredients of the medication when taken orally.

Using an enteric-coated form can facilitate better patient tolerance and adherence to the medication regimen by reducing side effects. It is often an appropriate strategy to address gastrointestinal issues associated with oral medications, allowing the patient to continue their necessary treatment with fewer adverse effects.

While other options may present alternative routes or formulations, enteric coating directly addresses the issue of stomach discomfort. For example, switching to a parenteral route may not always be feasible or necessary, depending on the medication and patient condition, while sustained-release preparations or sublingual doses may not provide the same localized advantage of protecting the gastrointestinal tract.