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.)

A. Stating that palliative care is only for clients with a terminal illness is incorrect. Palliative care is designed for clients with serious, chronic, or life-threatening illnesses and focuses on symptom management and quality of life, regardless of prognosis.

B. Limiting palliative care to those with 6 months or less to live is incorrect. This definition applies to hospice care, not palliative care. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments at any stage of illness.

C. Including restriction of nutritional support is incorrect. Palliative care emphasizes comfort and symptom relief, including providing adequate nutrition and hydration as appropriate for the client’s needs and wishes.

D. Enhancing quality of life by promoting comfort is correct. Palliative care aims to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue while supporting the client’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being.

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.