A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a fentanyl transdermal patch. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when administering a transdermal patch? (Select all that apply.)
Apply the transdermal patch to either of the client's forearms.
Remove the old transdermal patch before applying a new one.
Apply the patch to a clean, hairless area of the client's skin.
Use sterile gloves to apply and remove transdermal patches.
Dispose of old transdermal patches in a childproof container.
Correct Answer : B,C,E
A. "Apply the transdermal patch to either of the client's forearms" is incorrect. The nurse should avoid applying the patch to areas with excessive hair, irritation, or broken skin. Common areas include the upper torso (e.g., upper arm, chest, or back).
B. "Remove the old transdermal patch before applying a new one" is correct. To prevent overdose or accidental administration of an additional dose, the nurse should always remove the old patch before applying a new one.
C. "Apply the patch to a clean, hairless area of the client's skin" is correct. This ensures better adhesion and absorption of the medication, as hair and dirt can interfere with the patch's effectiveness.
D. "Use sterile gloves to apply and remove transdermal patches" is incorrect. Standard gloves are sufficient for applying and removing transdermal patches, as they do not need to be sterile.
E. "Dispose of old transdermal patches in a childproof container" is correct. Fentanyl patches should be disposed of properly to avoid accidental exposure or ingestion by children or pets. A childproof container ensures safe disposal.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Assign clients to the remaining staff is not the first action. The nurse should address the suspected impairment of the staff member before assigning clients to others.
B. Call the supervisor to ask for another nurse is not the first action. While notifying the supervisor is important, the nurse should first ensure that the impaired nurse is removed from direct client care to prevent any potential harm to clients.
C. Remove the nurse from the client care area is correct. The first priority is to ensure that the nurse who may be impaired is not caring for clients to ensure client safety.
D. Document objective findings about the situation is important but not the first step. The immediate priority is ensuring the safety of clients by removing the nurse from the care area. Documentation can follow after ensuring client safety.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Verify the medication three times with the medication administration record.": This is the best practice for ensuring the correct medication is administered. The nurse should verify the medication when removing it from storage, before preparing the medication, and at the bedside before giving it to the patient to ensure the right drug, dose, patient, time, and route.
B. "Administer time-critical medication 60 min before or after the scheduled time.": Time-critical medications should be administered within a specified window of 30 minutes before or after the scheduled time, not 60 minutes. Administering medication too early or late could compromise its effectiveness.
C. "Identify the client by using one identifier before giving the medication.": The correct approach is to use two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) to verify the client's identity, not just one. This reduces the risk of medication errors.
D. "Document medication administration prior to administering medication.": Documentation should occur after medication administration, not before, to ensure accurate recordkeeping of the event.
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