Which statement about the purpose of transdermal patches is true?

Transdermal patches are specifically designed for long-term medication administration, which allows them to deliver medication steadily over an extended period of time, typically ranging from hours to days, depending on the specific patch and the medication it contains. This method of delivery is particularly beneficial for medications that require consistent blood levels or for patients who may have difficulty taking oral medications.

Unlike options suggesting that transdermal patches are limited to local effects or only provide intermittent delivery, their design facilitates systemic drug absorption into the bloodstream, thereby enabling therapeutic effects to occur throughout the body. Furthermore, stating that they are not absorbed through the skin ignores the fundamental principle of how transdermal patches function; they rely on the skin’s ability to absorb the medication effectively. Therefore, the notion that transdermal patches are intended for long-term use accurately reflects their purpose in medical practice.