A nurse is closely monitoring a pediatric client following a tonsillectomy. Which finding would alert the nurse to a postoperative complication?
Dry mouth
Reports of mild to moderate pain
Dried flecks of blood in oral secretions
Frequent swallowing
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Dry mouth is expected postoperatively, especially if the child is not drinking adequate fluids, but it is not a sign of a complication.
B. Mild to moderate pain is expected after a tonsillectomy and should be managed with analgesics.
C. Dried flecks of blood in oral secretions can be normal immediately after surgery, but active bleeding would be concerning.
D. Frequent swallowing is a sign of possible postoperative bleeding, which is a serious complication that requires immediate evaluation and intervention.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Polyuria is not commonly associated with heart failure in infants; they are more likely to have oliguria or reduced urine output.
B. Difficulty feeding is a common sign of heart failure in infants because the increased work of breathing and poor cardiac output make it hard for them to feed effectively.
C. Bradycardia is not typically associated with heart failure; tachycardia is more common as the heart tries to compensate for decreased cardiac output.
D. Bradypnea is uncommon in heart failure; tachypnea is a more likely symptom due to fluid overload and poor oxygenation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Passing tar-like stools is normal for newborns within the first few days of life and does not indicate Hirschsprung disease.
B. Limited stooling and poor weight gain may suggest feeding issues but are not as indicative of Hirschsprung disease as the absence of stool.
C. The absence of stool (failure to pass meconium within 24-48 hours) is a classic sign of Hirschsprung disease, a condition where the absence of ganglion cells in the intestines leads to a blockage.
D. Passing hard, pellet-like stools may indicate constipation but is not specific to Hirschsprung disease, especially in a newborn.