A nurse is preparing to administer enteric-coated aspirin to an older adult client who had a cerebrovascular accident and has difficulty swallowing medications. The client asks the nurse if she will crush the medication to make it easier to swallow. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. Crushing an enteric-coated tablet is unsafe because it removes the protective coating designed to prevent stomach irritation; simply mixing it with ice cream does not eliminate this risk. B. Enteric-coated aspirin is not inactivated by stomach acid; the coating is intended to prevent gastric irritation, not protect the drug from acid degradation. C. Enteric-coated tablets are not time-release formulations; crushing them does not affect absorption over time but does increase the risk of gastric irritation or ulceration. D. Crushing enteric-coated aspirin can cause stomach irritation, pain, or indigestion because the protective coating is destroyed. The nurse should explain this and discuss alternative forms (e.g., chewable or liquid) that are safe for clients with swallowing difficulties.