A nurse is collecting data from a child who is 1 hr postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority?

A. Frequent swallowing: Frequent swallowing after a tonsillectomy can be a sign of active bleeding from the surgical site. Even if bleeding is not visible, the child may be swallowing blood, which can lead to significant hemorrhage. This is the priority finding that requires immediate intervention. B. Report of sore throat: A sore throat is an expected and normal finding after a tonsillectomy due to surgical trauma and healing. It does not represent an urgent or life-threatening complication. C. Dark brown blood between the teeth: Dark brown blood suggests old, minimal bleeding and is not as concerning as active bright red bleeding. While it should be monitored, it is not the priority compared to signs of active hemorrhage. D. Coffee-ground appearance of emesis: Coffee-ground emesis suggests the presence of digested blood, often from swallowed blood, and while concerning, it is a secondary finding. Frequent swallowing points more directly to active bleeding, which is more immediately life-threatening.