Applying Transdermal Medication

Applying Transdermal Medication

Equipment
■ Procedure gloves.
■ Transdermal medication.

Assessment
■ Assess for skin irritation, open lesions, area of hypersensitivity, or other skin abnormality.
■ Determine the presence of contraindications for dermal application. Post-Procedure Reassessment
■ Assess for rash, excoriation, hives, redness, swelling.
■ Ask the patient if he feels burning, itching, pain, tenderness, or other sensation to skin where medication was applied.

Key Points
■ Be Smart! Wear gloves to avoid absorbing the medication through your own skin and to avoid cross-contamination.
■ Remove the previous patch, folding the medicated side to the inside.
■ Dispose of the old patch carefully in a biohazard receptacle, keeping it away from children and pets.
■ Use soap and water to cleanse the skin of traces of remaining medication. Allow the skin to dry.
■ Remove the new patch from its protective covering, and then remove the clear, protective covering without touching the adhesive or the inside surface that contains the medication.
■ Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairless (or little hair), intact skin area, pressing it down for about 10 seconds with your palm.
■ Rotate application sites. Common sites are the trunk, lower abdomen, lower back, and buttocks.
■ Remove gloves and wash your hands again.
■ Be Safe! Teach the patient to not use a heating pad over the area.
■ Be Safe! Do not apply medication to skin with open lesions, irritation, or known hypersensitivity.
■ Teach the patient to avoid exposure to ultraviolet light/sunlight after applying medication.
■ Use gentle technique when applying topical medication to fragile skin, which is typical in older adults. Take care to not over-apply the medication.

Documentation
■ Record scheduled medications in the MAR.
■ Record PRN medications in the nursing notes, including the reason given and response.
■ Record medication, time, dose, and route given; condition of skin if abnormalities are present, and complaints of discomfort during or after administration.
■ Document responses to medication (e.g., symptom relief, side effects); therapeutic and adverse drug effects, nursing interventions, and teaching.
■ Document assessment data before, during, and after instillation.

Removing the clear, protective covering from a transdermal patch

without touching the adhesive or the inside surface