A nurse is assessing a client's cardiovascular system. To palpate for unexpected pulsations in the pulmonic area, at which anatomical location should the nurse place her fingers?

Choice A rationale:

Applying a moisture barrier ointment helps protect the skin from the effects of moisture exposure due to urinary incontinence. Prolonged exposure to urine can lead to skin breakdown, irritation, and infection. A moisture barrier ointment creates a protective barrier, reducing the risk of skin damage.

Choice B rationale:

Requesting a prescription for an indwelling urinary catheter is not typically the first intervention to prevent skin breakdown in clients with urinary incontinence. Catheters carry their own set of risks, including infection, and should be considered after other interventions have been explored.

Choice C rationale:

Repositioning the client every 8 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers but may not be sufficient to prevent skin breakdown due to urinary incontinence. Clients with urinary incontinence should be repositioned more frequently to address the effects of moisture.

Choice D rationale:

Checking the client's skin every 8 hours is an important step, but it alone may not effectively prevent skin breakdown. Incontinence-associated dermatitis can develop quickly, so it's essential to implement protective measures like using a moisture barrier ointment.

Choice A rationale:

Washing hands for 5 to 10 seconds prior to administering medication is indeed an important safety measure, but it is not specifically related to changing or applying a transdermal patch. Hand hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of infection, but it doesn't directly address the process of applying a patch.

Choice B rationale:

Applying the patch over a non-hairy area within the patient's skin is the correct answer. This is crucial because hair can interfere with the adhesion of the patch, leading to inadequate drug absorption. The rationale behind this is to ensure that the medication is effectively delivered through the skin into the bloodstream without any barriers such as hair. It's also important to choose a site that is clean, dry, and free from cuts or irritation.

Choice C rationale:

Leaving the previous medication patch in place is not recommended. It's essential to remove the old patch before applying a new one to prevent accumulation of the medication and to ensure accurate dosing. Failing to remove the previous patch could lead to an overdose or altered drug effects.

Choice D rationale:

Ensuring that the patient is lying down is not a specific safety measure for changing or applying a transdermal patch. The patient's position doesn't directly impact the effectiveness of the patch or the safety of the application process.