A nurse is assessing a child who is postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?
Sore throat
Dark brown emesis
Blood-tinged mucus
Frequent swallowing
The Correct Answer is D
A. Sore throat. This is incorrect because a sore throat is an expected postoperative finding following a tonsillectomy and does not indicate a complication.
B. Dark brown emesis. This is incorrect because dark brown emesis may be swallowed blood from surgery and is not necessarily an immediate concern unless it continues or turns bright red.
C. Blood-tinged mucus. This is incorrect because small amounts of blood-tinged mucus are normal after a tonsillectomy and do not indicate active bleeding.
D. Frequent swallowing. This is correct because frequent swallowing can indicate active bleeding from the surgical site. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is a serious complication that requires immediate intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Obtain a tympanogram reading prior to initiating the test. This is incorrect because a tympanogram assesses middle ear function and is not part of the Weber test, which evaluates hearing loss type.
B. Place a vibrating tuning fork on the top of the child's head. This is correct because the Weber test involves placing a vibrating tuning fork on the midline of the skull to determine if sound is heard equally in both ears, helping to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
C. Hold a vibrating tuning fork 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) from the child's ears. This is incorrect because this describes the Rinne test, which compares air conduction to bone conduction.
D. Measure the amount of time the child can hear the sound. This is incorrect because the Weber test does not measure duration but assesses lateralization of sound perception.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Sore throat. This is incorrect because a sore throat is an expected postoperative finding following a tonsillectomy and does not indicate a complication.
B. Dark brown emesis. This is incorrect because dark brown emesis may be swallowed blood from surgery and is not necessarily an immediate concern unless it continues or turns bright red.
C. Blood-tinged mucus. This is incorrect because small amounts of blood-tinged mucus are normal after a tonsillectomy and do not indicate active bleeding.
D. Frequent swallowing. This is correct because frequent swallowing can indicate active bleeding from the surgical site. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is a serious complication that requires immediate intervention.
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