Mixed Agonists/Antagonists
Mixed Agonists/Antagonists ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a client who has chronic pain about using a transdermal patch of pentazocine (Talwin).
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
Applying the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area of skin is crucial for the proper absorption of the medication. The skin acts as a barrier to the outside environment and also as a reservoir for the slow release of the drug from the patch. If the skin is not clean, substances on the skin could interact with the medication and alter its absorption. If the skin is not dry, the patch may not adhere properly, which could lead to it falling off and the medication not being delivered. Hair on the skin can also interfere with the patch’s adhesion and the medication’s absorption.
Changing the patch every 24 hours is important to ensure a consistent delivery of the medication. The medication in the patch is designed to be released slowly over a certain period of time, typically 24 hours. After this time, the patch may not have enough medication left to provide effective pain relief. Additionally, the adhesive on the patch may not last longer than 24 hours, so the patch could fall off.
Removing the old patch before applying a new one is necessary to prevent an overdose of the medication. If the old patch is left on, the remaining medication in the old patch could be absorbed along with the medication in the new patch, leading to a higher dose than intended. This could result in side effects or a potentially dangerous overdose.
Disposing of the used patch in a sharps container is not necessary. Sharps containers are typically used for objects that can puncture the skin, such as needles. A used transdermal patch does not pose this risk. However, it is important to dispose of the patch safely where children or pets cannot reach it, as it may still contain some medication.
Avoiding exposing the patch to heat sources is important because heat can increase the absorption of the medication, which could lead to an overdose. Heat sources can include heating pads, hot tubs, heated water beds, heat or tanning lamps, saunas, hot baths, and direct sunlight.
The correct answers are Choices A, B, C, and E.
Choice A rationale: Applying the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area of skin is crucial for the proper absorption of the medication. The skin acts as a barrier to the outside environment and also as a reservoir for the slow release of the drug from the patch. If the skin is not clean, substances on the skin could interact with the medication and alter its absorption. If the skin is not dry, the patch may not adhere properly, which could lead to it falling off and the medication not being delivered. Hair on the skin can also interfere with the patch’s adhesion and the medication’s absorption.
Choice B rationale: Changing the patch every 24 hours is important to ensure a consistent delivery of the medication. The medication in the patch is designed to be released slowly over a certain period of time, typically 24 hours. After this time, the patch may not have enough medication left to provide effective pain relief. Additionally, the adhesive on the patch may not last longer than 24 hours, so the patch could fall off.
Choice C rationale: Removing the old patch before applying a new one is necessary to prevent an overdose of the medication. If the old patch is left on, the remaining medication in the old patch could be absorbed along with the medication in the new patch, leading to a higher dose than intended. This could result in side effects or a potentially dangerous overdose.
Choice D rationale: Disposing of the used patch in a sharps container is not necessary. Sharps containers are typically used for objects that can puncture the skin, such as needles. A used transdermal patch does not pose this risk. However, it is important to dispose of the patch safely where children or pets cannot reach it, as it may still contain some medication.
Choice E rationale: Avoiding exposing the patch to heat sources is important because heat can increase the absorption of the medication, which could lead to an overdose. Heat sources can include heating pads, hot tubs, heated water beds, heat or tanning lamps, saunas, hot baths, and direct sunlight.