Which complications should a nurse monitor for following a child’s tonsillectomy?

After a tonsillectomy, one of the significant complications to monitor for is signs of bleeding. Frequent swallowing can be an indicator that the child is trying to clear blood that may have trickled down the throat. Children may instinctively swallow more often if they are experiencing bleeding from the surgical site; this can be a crucial sign that requires immediate assessment and intervention. Monitoring for bleeding is vital because post-operative hemorrhage can lead to serious issues such as airway obstruction or significant blood loss.

While fever and chills, persistent cough, and severe headache may be concerns in other contexts, they are not the most immediate or critical complications that relate directly to the surgery. Fever could be a response to infection, while a persistent cough typically is not a direct result of tonsillectomy but may indicate other respiratory issues. Similarly, disorientation could be a symptom of various issues but is not specific to complications arising from tonsil surgery. Thus, recognizing frequent swallowing as a sign of potential bleeding is essential in the post-operative care of children who have undergone a tonsillectomy.