The nurse is preparing to administer a chewable tablet to a preschool-age child. The child's parent reports always crushing the tablet and mixing it with pudding when giving it at home. What is the nurse's next action?

a) The safest action is to consult the pharmacist to determine if the chewable tablet can be crushed without affecting its efficacy or safety. Some chewable tablets must be chewed for proper absorption, while others may be safely crushed. b) Crushing the tablet without verifying its safety could alter the drug's effectiveness or cause adverse effects, so it should not be done without confirmation. c) Insisting that the tablet be chewed disregards the child’s potential difficulty with chewing, which may lead to refusal or improper administration. d) Requesting a liquid form could be an alternative, but it is not the immediate next step. Some medications may not be available in liquid form, so checking with the pharmacist first is the appropriate action.