A nurse is caring for a preschool-age child who is postoperative following a tonsillectomy and is clearing her throat frequently. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Give the child small sips of water. Giving water can be helpful, but frequent throat clearing may indicate bleeding, which should be assessed first.B. Administer an analgesic. Pain management is important, but the immediate concern should be to rule out postoperative bleeding.C. Observe the child's throat with a flashlight. Frequent throat clearing can be a sign of bleeding. The nurse should inspect the throat first to check for signs of hemorrhage, which is a serious complication.D. Offer the child an ice collar. An ice collar can help reduce swelling and pain but should be done after assessing for bleeding.