A nurse is assessing a child who is postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?

D. "During this test, I will push a button if my baby moves."

Rationale:
A. "This test will tell me if my baby has a genetic problem." - Nonstress testing (NST) is used to evaluate fetal well-being by assessing fetal heart rate accelerations in response to fetal movement. It does not diagnose genetic problems.
B. "I will get oxytocin during this test." - Oxytocin is not typically administered during nonstress testing. NST is a non-invasive procedure that involves placing a fetal heart rate monitor on the mother's abdomen to monitor the baby's heart rate.
C. "During this test, I must not eat or drink anything." - While it's generally recommended to have a snack or meal before the test to encourage fetal movement, fasting is not required for NST unless otherwise instructed by the healthcare provider.
D. "During this test, I will push a button if my baby moves." - This statement demonstrates an understanding of how NST works. The client is instructed to push a button whenever they feel fetal movement, allowing the healthcare provider to correlate fetal movement with changes in the fetal heart rate pattern.

Answer: A

Rationale:

A. Frequent swallowing: Frequent swallowing in a postoperative tonsillectomy patient can be a sign of bleeding or a hemorrhage. This is a priority finding because it may indicate that the child is swallowing blood, which requires immediate intervention to prevent significant blood loss and complications.

B. Dark brown emesis: Dark brown emesis can be a normal finding post-tonsillectomy, as it may indicate the presence of old blood or clotted blood. While it should be monitored, it is not as urgent as frequent swallowing, which may signify active bleeding.

C. Sore throat: A sore throat is a common postoperative symptom following a tonsillectomy and is generally expected. It is important to manage pain and discomfort, but it is not as urgent as signs of potential bleeding.

D. Blood-tinged mucus: Blood-tinged mucus can occur after a tonsillectomy due to irritation or minor bleeding. While it should be observed, it is less critical compared to frequent swallowing, which may indicate more significant bleeding.