The following are lipid abnormalities. Which of the following is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?

A. While osteoporosis is characterized by a negative calcium balance, this is not a major complication itself. It's a contributing factor to the condition.
B. Loss of estrogen is a risk factor for osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women. However, it's not a complication of the disease itself.
C. Dowager's hump, or kyphosis, is a common symptom of osteoporosis, but it's not a major complication. It's a visible manifestation of the disease.
D. Bone fractures are the major complication of osteoporosis. The weakened bones become more susceptible to fractures, especially in areas like the hip, spine, and wrist.

A. While changes in breathing patterns can indicate airway obstruction, snoring alone is not the most specific indicator of a complication after tonsillectomy. It could indicate swelling or an obstructed airway but does not specifically indicate bleeding.

B. Checking the mucous membranes for moisture is important in general nursing care to assess hydration status. However, it is not the most immediate priority in the post-tonsillectomy setting, where the primary concern is to monitor for bleeding.
C. Assessing pain is important for overall patient comfort and to evaluate the effectiveness of pain management strategies. However, pain alone does not directly indicate a complication like bleeding, which is a critical concern in this scenario.
D. Continuous swallowing can be an early sign of bleeding after tonsillectomy, as patients may swallow frequently to clear blood from the throat. If a patient is swallowing more often than normal, it could indicate that they are swallowing blood, which would require immediate intervention.