NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

A nurse is caring for a client involved in a motor vehicle accident. What should the nurse remember about transdermal patches when following a health care provider's orders for pain relief?

1. The actual dose received by the patient from this pain patch may vary.

2. The rate of delivery and actual dose of medications given by the transdermal route can vary.

3. The transdermal patch should not be applied in areas of abrasion.

4. Transdermal medications completely bypass digestive enzymes.

The correct answer is: The transdermal patch should not be applied in areas of abrasion.

When following a health care provider's orders for pain relief using transdermal patches for a client involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important for the nurse to remember that the transdermal patch should not be applied in areas of abrasion. Placing the patch on skin that is broken, irritated, or compromised can alter the absorption rate of the medication and may cause unpredictable effects. Option A and B are incorrect because they discuss the variability in drug absorption and delivery associated with transdermal patches, which are important factors to consider but do not directly relate to the specific caution of not applying the patch on areas of abrasion. Option D is incorrect as transdermal medications do not completely bypass digestive enzymes; they are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, avoiding the digestive system entirely. This option does not specifically address the issue of applying the patch to areas of abrasion, which is the key consideration in this scenario.