The nurse provides intravenous dexamethasone (Decadron) 10 mg to a patient with a metastatic brain tumor

Question

What patient outcomes would indicate that the medication is effective? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Neurologic symptoms improve within 12 hours
2. Reduced intracranial pressure
3. Neurologic symptoms improve immediately
4. Reduced respiratory rate
5. Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Answer 1

1,2
Rationale 1: Administration of dexamethasone can produce a reduction in cerebral edema and an improvement in neurologic symptoms most commonly in 12 to 24 hours
Rationale 2: The decline in cerebral edema and ICP can persist for as long as 72 hours.
Rationale 3: Administration of dexamethasone improves neurologic symptoms within 12 to 24 hours and not immediately.
Rationale 4: Dexamethasone does not affect the respiratory rate.
Rationale 5: Dexamethasone does not affect the heart rate or blood pressure.