A nurse is assessing a client who has a transdermal fentanyl patch in place. Which of the following findings should the nurse document as an adverse effect of this medication?
Explanation & Rationale
C. Fentanyl can cause vasodilation, which may lead to a decrease in blood pressure. This effect can be more pronounced with rapid IV administration rather than with the slow absorption from the transdermal patch.A. Fentanyl, particularly when administered via the transdermal route, tends to have minimal direct cardiovascular effects such as bradycardia due to its opioid receptor agonism. Tachycardia would be more indicative of other causes rather than fentanyl itself.B. Fentanyl's primary effects are related to analgesia and central nervous system depression. Sedation and drowsiness are more common effects, rather than insomnia.D. Gastrointestinal effects such as constipation are more common with opioid medications like fentanyl due to their action on opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which slows motility.