A nurse is preparing to apply a transdermal nicotine patch for a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Shaving hairy areas of skin prior to application: While it's important to have a clean area for patch application, shaving can cause irritation and micro-abrasions, potentially leading to increased absorption or skin reactions. Instead, the nurse should clean the area and trim hair if necessary without shaving, to ensure the skin is intact. B) Wear gloves to apply the patch to the client's skin: Using gloves is essential for infection control and to prevent the nurse from absorbing nicotine through their skin during application. It minimizes the risk of cross-contamination and ensures that the patch is applied safely and effectively. C) Apply the patch within 1 hr of removing it from the protective pouch: The nicotine patch should be applied immediately after removal from the protective pouch to ensure that it maintains its efficacy. However, there is no strict guideline that requires it to be applied within one hour, making this less critical compared to the importance of proper technique during application. D) Remove the previous patch and place it in a tissue: Proper disposal of the old patch is important to prevent accidental nicotine exposure. However, the patch should be discarded in a way that minimizes risk, such as folding it upon itself and placing it in a designated waste container rather than just a tissue, which may not secure it adequately.