A transdermal fentanyl patch is prescribed for clients suffering from moderate to severe chronic pain. The patch provides continuous analgesia for up to 72 hours. However, the drug is absorbed slowly through the skin into the systemic circulation and can take up to 17 hours to reach its full analgesic effect. Therefore, it is not recommended for treating acute postoperative, temporary, or intermittent pain as it does not provide immediate analgesia when applied. (Option 1) A lidocaine 5% transdermal patch provides a localized, topical anesthetic to intact skin. It is commonly prescribed for clients with chronic postherpetic neuralgia, a painful, debilitating condition that can develop following a herpes zoster (shingles) infection.
(Option 2) The client with opioid abuse history would be experiencing the same type and degree of pain as other clients with a fractured femur. However, a higher dose or a stronger opioid analgesic (eg, hydromorphone) is needed for pain relief due to the client's increased opioid tolerance.
(Option 3) Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic prescribed to treat moderate to severe postoperative pain. It is appropriate to prescribe at discharge as it has fewer complications related to respiratory depression compared with other opioids.
Educational objective: A transdermal fentanyl patch is indicated to treat moderate to severe chronic pain. It is not recommended for treating acute postoperative, temporary, or intermittent pain as it does not provide immediate analgesia when applied.
A transdermal fentanyl patch is prescribed for clients suffering from moderate to severe chronic pain. The patch provides continuous analgesia for up to 72 hours. However, the drug is absorbed slowly through the skin into the systemic circulation and can take up to 17 hours to reach its full analgesic effect. Therefore, it is not recommended for treating acute postoperative, temporary, or intermittent pain as it does not provide immediate analgesia when applied. (Option 1) A lidocaine 5% transdermal patch provides a localized, topical anesthetic to intact skin. It is commonly prescribed for clients with chronic postherpetic neuralgia, a painful, debilitating condition that can develop following a herpes zoster (shingles) infection.
(Option 2) The client with opioid abuse history would be experiencing the same type and degree of pain as other clients with a fractured femur. However, a higher dose or a stronger opioid analgesic (eg, hydromorphone) is needed for pain relief due to the client's increased opioid tolerance.
(Option 3) Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic prescribed to treat moderate to severe postoperative pain. It is appropriate to prescribe at discharge as it has fewer complications related to respiratory depression compared with other opioids.
Educational objective: A transdermal fentanyl patch is indicated to treat moderate to severe chronic pain. It is not recommended for treating acute postoperative, temporary, or intermittent pain as it does not provide immediate analgesia when applied.
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