RN Exam Practice
Basic Care and ComfortQuestion 159 of 2368

A client with a transdermal medication patch on the upper arm asks to apply a heating pad to the arm for muscle pain. What should the nurse teach?

  1. Apply heat for 45 minutes
  2. Apply heat directly over the patch to improve absorption
  3. Do not apply heat over a medication patch
  4. Use heat only on implanted devices
Show answer

Correct answer: Do not apply heat over a medication patch

Heat should be used for 5 to 20 minutes and never over medication patches or implanted devices.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Comfort: Nonpharmacological Interventions. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Basic Care and Comfort"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026