What should you do to change a patient's medication form from IV to PO?

Transforming a patient's medication form from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) involves several steps, some of which are essential for ensuring patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness. Discontinuing the current order is a critical action because it prevents any possibility of the patient receiving the IV medication after the decision has been made to switch to oral therapy.

When changing medication routes, it's vital to first stop the IV medication to avoid any confusion or dosage errors. This also allows for the new oral medication to be ordered and administered without overlap, which could lead to adverse effects or interactions.

Other actions, while important in the overall medication management process, may not be the immediate steps required when switching medication forms. For instance, performing a clinical assessment is important to gather information about the patient's current condition and ensure that they are ready for oral medication; however, this assessment typically precedes the decision to discontinue an IV order rather than being a direct action to take to facilitate the change.

Similarly, scheduling a follow-up appointment or consulting with a pharmacist can be beneficial for ongoing patient management or for advice on medication compatibility, but they are not the immediate actions needed to formally change the medication delivery method. The primary requirement when the decision to change has been made is to ensure