Which statement best describes the characteristics of enteric-coated pills?

Enteric-coated pills are designed specifically to prevent them from dissolving in the harsh acidic environment of the stomach. Instead, the coating allows the medication to pass through the stomach and dissolve in the more neutral pH of the intestines. This characteristic helps to protect both the medication—often to maintain its efficacy—and the stomach lining from potential irritation caused by certain drugs.

By swallowing enteric-coated pills whole, the patient ensures that the coating remains intact until it reaches the intestines where the medication can be properly absorbed, promoting the desired therapeutic effect. Crushing enteric-coated pills would compromise their special coating, leading to unintended release in the stomach, which could reduce efficacy or cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Overall, the defining feature of enteric-coated pills is their inability to be crushed and the necessity of swallowing them whole to ensure proper absorption.