A nurse is preparing to administer a transdermal patch to a client. The nurse notes the client already has a patch that was applied 24 hr ago. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale A. Fold the existing patch on itself and dispose of it in a childproof container: Folding the patch so the adhesive sides stick together prevents accidental exposure to medication, which could harm others. Proper disposal in a secure container ensures safety and prevents accidental ingestion or contact, especially for potent medications like opioids or nitroglycerin. B. Shave the client's lower leg for placement of the new patch: Shaving is unnecessary unless hair significantly interferes with adhesion. Using razors can cause microabrasions, increasing the risk of skin irritation or infection. Hair can usually be trimmed with scissors instead of shaving. C. Discard the old patch and apply a new one in the same location: Applying a new patch to the same site can cause skin irritation or burns due to repeated exposure. Rotation of application sites is necessary to allow the skin to recover and to maintain patch efficacy. D. Keep the existing patch on and place the new patch in a different location: Leaving the old patch in place results in double dosing, which can lead to toxicity. All transdermal patches should be removed before applying a new one to prevent accidental overdose.