A nurse is caring for a child who is postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings indicates that the child may be experiencing hemorrhage?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. Frequent swallowing: Frequent swallowing, especially of small amounts, can indicate that the child is swallowing blood from postoperative bleeding. This is a common early sign of hemorrhage following a tonsillectomy and requires immediate evaluation. B. Increased drowsiness: Drowsiness can result from anesthesia, pain medication, or fatigue after surgery. While it should be monitored, it is not a specific indicator of postoperative hemorrhage in a child following tonsillectomy. C. Elevated pain level: Pain is expected after tonsillectomy and does not necessarily signal bleeding. Sudden severe pain might warrant reassessment, but elevated pain alone is not a definitive sign of hemorrhage. D. Diminished breath sounds: Diminished breath sounds are not typically associated with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. This finding may indicate a respiratory issue, but not specifically bleeding from the surgical site.