What is the first step in changing a patient's activity order from Up with Assistance to Activity as Tolerated?

The appropriate first step in changing a patient's activity order from "Up with Assistance" to "Activity as Tolerated" involves discontinuing the current order. By discontinuing the existing order, the healthcare provider clears the way for a new order that reflects the updated plan for the patient's activity level. This step is crucial because it ensures that there is no confusion or overlapping orders in the patient's medical record.

Once the current order is discontinued, the provider can then proceed to enter the new activity level without any conflicts or ambiguity in the treatment plan. This process helps maintain clear and concise documentation, allowing for effective communication among the healthcare team.

The other options, while part of the overall procedure, do not represent the logical first action needed to initiate the change in the activity order. For instance, clicking "modify" suggests altering the existing order without officially discontinuing it, which could lead to confusion about what the active orders are. Similarly, clicking "save changes" would apply to actions taken after the order has been correctly amended, and informing nursing staff is an important communication step that would typically occur after the order has been updated in the system.