The nurse caring for a patient with bacterial meningitis is administering dexamethasone (Decadron) that has been ordered as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy. When does the nurse know is the appropriate time to administer this medication?
a) 1 hour after the antibiotic has infused and daily for 7 days
b) 2 hours prior to the administration of antibiotics for 7 days
c) It can be administered every 6 hours for 10 days.
d) 15 to 20 minutes before the first dose of antibiotic and every 6 hours for the next 4 days
Asnwer: 15 to 20 minutes before the first dose of antibiotic and every 6 hours for the next 4 days