Question

A nurse is preparing to replace a client's transdermal fentanyl patch after 72 hr of use. After the nurse opens the packet containing the new pouch, the client declines to accept it. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

1: Withhold pain medications for 24 hr after the old patch is removed.
2: Ask another nurse to witness the disposal of the new patch.
3: Seal the patches in a plastic bag and place in the client's trash basket.
4: Stick the two patches to each other and place them in the sharps bin.

Answer 1

The nurse should ask another nurse to witness the disposal of the new transdermal fentanyl patch since it's a controlled substance and requires proper disposal procedures. The patches should not be disposed of in the client's trash or in the sharps bin.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client declines to accept a new transdermal fentanyl patch and the nurse is left with an opened but unused patch, the correct course of action is for the nurse to dispose of the patch appropriately. The nurse should not withhold pain medications nor dispose of the patch in the client's trash basket. The best practice in this situation is for the nurse to follow option 2: Ask another nurse to witness the disposal of the new patch.

Fentanyl patches are a controlled substance due to their potential for abuse and diversion, and as such, require proper disposal procedures to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. The other nurse acts as a witness to document the disposal, which is typically entered into a log for controlled substances and ensures that the patch is disposed of in a way that prevents diversion or misuse. The recommended disposal method for such medications often involves placing them in a designated secure container for controlled substances, not in the sharps bin or the trash.