The physician orders administration of IV methylprednisolone for the first 24 hours to a patient who experienced a spinal cord injury 3 hours ago.What will the nurse assess when evaluating the effectiveness of this drug?

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Methylprednisolone is used to treat spinal cord injuries by reducing inflammation and preventing further damage. The nurse should assess the patient's motor and sensory function of the legs, as improvement in these areas indicates the drug is effective in reducing spinal cord damage. Assessing blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory effort, O2 saturation, bowel sounds, and abdominal distension may all be important aspects of patient care, but they do not specifically evaluate the effectiveness of methylprednisolone for spinal cord injury.

The Physician Orders Administration of IV Methylprednisolone for the First