A nurse is caring for a 29-year-old client in the intensive care unit who was admitted for bowel obstruction and duodenal ulcer and is now in a coma. The client has a central line to the right subclavian, left peripheral intravenous access, nasal cannula with 4L humidified O2 flowing, a nasogastric tube, and a Foley catheter in place. The health care provider has ordered pantoprazole to be crushed and administered via nasogastric tube. What should be the priority action for the nurse to take when administering this medication?