I am a pack a day plus smoker. just diagnosed yesterday with walking pneumonia. i have outdated nicotine patches. are they ok to use. i know i need to?

No harm likely: They almost certainly will do no harm - it may be a tiny bit less strong - but DO NOT use more than directions warn about. I hope you can use this time to cut way down or move toward quitting after you recover. It's a good way to find the silver lining. If you miss smoking, try to do your smoking breath pattern w/o a cigarette. That "in, hold, full blow exhale" is VERY good for you to keep doing!