Question

When discharging a patient that is wearing a fentanyl patch, instructions to the owners should include:

A. skin irritation from the patch is considered a normal reaction.
B. proper use and disposal of the patch.
C. duration of pain control is 24 hours.
D. gloves are not necessary when handling the patch.

Answer 1

Discharging a patient with a fentanyl patch requires providing the owner with instructions on using gloves when handling the patch, proper use, and disposal, and noting that while skin irritation isn't normal, pain control lasts over 24 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

When discharging a patient that is wearing a fentanyl patch, instructions to the owners should absolutely include proper use and disposal of the patch. It is important to stress that handling the patch should only be done with gloves, as it can deliver a powerful opioid medication through the skin. The owner should be informed that the duration of pain control provided by the patch typically exceeds 24 hours, and they should monitor the site for any signs of skin irritation, but it is not considered a normal reaction.