Colorado QMAP Practice Exam

Which medications can the Three Cs apply to?

1. Liquid medications

2. Enteric-coated tablet and Spansule

3. Ointments only

4. Suppositories

The correct answer is: Enteric-coated tablet and Spansule

The Three Cs refer to the concepts of crushing, cutting, or mixing medications with food or liquid to facilitate administration, particularly for patients who may have difficulty swallowing pills. The correct choice pertains to enteric-coated tablets and Spansules because these forms of medication are designed to be released at specific points within the gastrointestinal tract and should not be crushed or altered. Crushing or altering these medications can compromise their effectiveness and lead to inappropriate absorption, which could harm the patient or reduce the medication’s efficacy. Liquid medications are typically already in a form that can be swallowed easily and therefore do not require the application of the Three Cs. Ointments are applied topically, and suppositories are formulated for rectal use, making neither suitable for the application of the Three Cs in the traditional sense. Enteric-coated tablets and Spansules specifically fall under the guidelines that indicate they should be swallowed whole to maintain their intended action.