When treating brain tumor–related edema with corticosteroids, which side effects require monitoring?

• A. Hyperglycemia and infection risk are important monitoring aspects.
• B. Corticosteroids have no side effects.
• C. Only monitor liver enzymes.
• D. Monitor potassium levels only.

Answer: (A)

The main concept is that corticosteroids used for brain tumor–related edema carry important metabolic and immune-related side effects that must be monitored. These drugs can raise blood glucose levels, causing hyperglycemia in people without diabetes and complicating management for those who do have diabetes. They also suppress the immune system, increasing infection risk and potentially masking early signs of infection. Because of these risks, checking glucose levels and watching for infection are essential during therapy. While other effects can occur with steroids, the combination of hyperglycemia and infection risk is the most clinically important in this context. The other choices are incomplete or inaccurate because steroids do have side effects, and monitoring only liver enzymes or only potassium would miss the key issues of glucose control and infection prevention.