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 C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A capillary refill greater than 3 seconds suggests ongoing dehydration and poor perfusion, indicating that oral rehydration has not been fully effective.
B. A respiratory rate of 24/min is within normal limits for a 4-year-old but is not a direct indicator of hydration status.
C. A urine specific gravity of 1.015 is within the normal range, indicating adequate hydration and that oral rehydration therapy has been effective.
D. A heart rate of 130 bpm, while potentially normal for a 4-year-old, does not specifically indicate the effectiveness of rehydration therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Urinary and bowel continence is expected by age 4, so this does not warrant further investigation.
B. Tying shoes is a skill typically developed later, around 5-6 years of age, so not being able to do so at age 4 is not concerning.
C. Having an imaginary friend is common in children around this age and is not a cause for concern.
D. Speaking in 2-3 word sentences is typical for a younger child, around 2 years of age. By age 4, a child should be able to speak in more complex sentences, so this finding warrants further investigation.