What action should be taken with medication patches before using an AED?

When using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the correct action with medication patches is to remove them. Medication patches, such as those used for nitroglycerin, nicotine, or fentanyl, can interfere with the electrical conductivity needed for the AED to function properly. If a patch is left in place or if the pads are applied directly over them, there is a risk of improper pad adhesion, which could lead to ineffective defibrillation. Furthermore, the presence of a patch on the skin where the pads are placed could potentially cause burns to the patient due to the electrical current passing through the patch. Therefore, it is essential to remove any medication patches to ensure that the pads make direct contact with the skin for optimal efficacy of the defibrillation.