What instruction should a medical assistant provide when administering an enteric-coated tablet?

When administering an enteric-coated tablet, it is essential to swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. This coating is specifically designed to protect the tablet from dissolving in the acidic environment of the stomach. Instead, the coating allows the tablet to pass through to the more neutral pH of the intestines, where it can be absorbed effectively. If the tablet is crushed, chewed, or dissolved in liquid, this protective coating is compromised, rendering the medication ineffective and possibly causing irritation to the stomach lining. Therefore, the instruction to swallow the tablet whole ensures that the medication is delivered properly and achieves its intended therapeutic effect.