If you change a steroid from IV to PO, what must you do regarding the current order?

Changing the administration route of a steroid from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) requires discontinuing the current order. This is essential because the pharmacokinetics and dosing of medications can vary significantly between different routes of administration. When a drug is delivered via IV, it usually has a different bioavailability and may require different dosing than if it is given orally.

Discontinuing the current order is necessary to ensure that the patient does not receive the medication in both forms simultaneously, which could lead to overdose or other adverse effects. Additionally, a new order should be written for the oral dosage to reflect the appropriate amount and frequency needed for the patient's specific condition. This process ensures patient safety and maintains the integrity of the medication administration record within the healthcare system.

In contrast, simply modifying the order or continuing with the existing order does not take into account the need for proper documentation and ensuring that the patient receives the medication in the correct manner. Alerting the nursing staff for monitoring is important but does not address the need for stopping the IV steroid if a transition to oral is being made.