A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a fentanyl transdermal patch and had one patch applied 4 hr ago. The client reports breakthrough pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Administer a short-acting opioid: Fentanyl patches take several hours to reach therapeutic levels as they are designed to provide continuous, long-acting pain relief. During this period, or for breakthrough pain, short-acting opioids are appropriate to provide immediate relief while maintaining baseline pain control. B. Replace the patch with a new one: Replacing the patch prematurely can lead to overdose, as fentanyl is a potent opioid with a long duration of action and this action is unlikely to provide faster pain relief. Patches are typically replaced every 72 hours unless otherwise directed by the provider. C. Provide a long-acting NSAID: NSAIDs are not appropriate substitutes for opioids in managing moderate to severe breakthrough pain. They have a slower onset of action compared to short-acting opioids, making them less suitable for immediate breakthrough pain relief, especially when the client is already on a potent opioid like fentanyl. D. Apply heat to the patch: Heat increases fentanyl absorption and can result in dangerous levels in the bloodstream. Applying heat directly over the patch is strictly contraindicated due to the high risk of opioid toxicity.