What should nurses monitor due to the effects of corticosteroids in patients?

Corticosteroids can have significant effects on the central nervous system, which is why monitoring mental status changes is crucial for patients receiving these medications. Corticosteroids may lead to mood swings, anxiety, depression, or even psychosis in some individuals. These neuropsychiatric effects can vary depending on the dose, duration of therapy, and the individual patient's predisposition to mental health conditions. Nurses play a key role in observing any alterations in a patient's mood, cognitive function, or behavior as these can indicate the need for a change in therapy or further evaluation.

In addition to mental status, other factors like blood pressure fluctuations, allergic reactions, and pain levels are important in patient care, but they are not as directly influenced by corticosteroids as mental status is. Blood pressure changes can happen with corticosteroid use, typically leading to hypertension due to fluid retention, but it is less specific than mental status. Allergic reactions are rarer with corticosteroids compared to other medications, and while corticosteroids can affect inflammation and pain levels, the primary concern with their administration often lies in monitoring mental health outcomes.