While obtaining the vital signs of a 10-year-old child who had a tonsillectomy this morning, the nurse observes the child swallowing every 2 to 3 minutes.
Which assessment should the nurse implement?
Inspect the posterior oropharynx.
Touch the tonsillar pillars to stimulate the gag reflex.
Ask the child to speak to evaluate change in voice tone.
Assess for teeth clenching or grinding.
The Correct Answer is A
The nurse should inspect the posterior oropharynx of a child who is frequently swallowing after tonsillectomy to assess for bleeding or the presence of clots. Swallowing frequently can be a sign of postoperative bleeding, which is a potential complication of tonsillectomy.
Touching the tonsillar pillars to stimulate the gag reflex or asking the child to speak would not provide information about the presence of bleeding.
Assessing for teeth clenching or grinding is not related to this particular observation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The absence of continuous headaches in the child indicates that the VP shunt is functioning normally. A VP shunt is used to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to the abdomen. If the shunt is functioning properly, it should relieve pressure on the brain and reduce symptoms such as headaches. The other options (A, B, and C) do not directly indicate whether the shunt is functioning normally or not.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Answer: A. Biopsy may rupture the encapsulated tumor and cause the cancer cells to spread.
Rationale:
A) Biopsy may rupture the encapsulated tumor and cause the cancer cells to spread: This is the primary reason why surgery is performed before a biopsy in cases of Wilms tumor. The tumor is usually encapsulated, and performing a biopsy could risk breaking the capsule, leading to the dissemination of cancer cells into surrounding tissues, which can worsen the prognosis.
B) Metal clips are surgically applied at the tumor site for exact marking for radiation: While marking the tumor site for radiation is important, it is not the primary reason for performing surgery before a biopsy. The main concern is about the potential for cancer cell spread during a biopsy procedure.
C) Surgery is necessary to stage the tumor and determine metastasis to other sites: Although staging is a critical aspect of cancer management, the urgency of avoiding tumor rupture and subsequent spread is more pressing in this context. The surgery may assist in staging, but that is not the primary reason for immediate surgical intervention.
D) The surgery provides a visualization of other pathology and dysfunction of the kidney: While the surgical procedure may provide additional information about the kidney's condition, the most significant concern regarding Wilms tumor is preventing tumor rupture and the consequent spread of cancer cells, making this option less relevant.
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