Author Question: A school-age child is scheduled for a tonsillectomy. What should the nurse assess prior to the ... (Read 78 times)

lunatika · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

A school-age child is scheduled for a tonsillectomy. What should the nurse assess prior to the surgery being done?

A) Urine specific gravity
B) Pulse and respiratory rate
C) Bleeding and clotting time
D) Lying and sitting blood pressure

Question 2

A school-age child is diagnosed with streptococcal pharyngitis. What should the nurse teach the parents about the care that this child will need at home?

A) Expect the lymph nodes to swell and obstruct the airway.
B) Regular activity level should be encouraged as soon as possible.
C) Be aware that the infection may spread and cause a tooth abscess.
D) Complete the entire course of antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever.

fffftttt · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Feedback:
During a tonsillectomy, tonsillar tissue is removed by ligation or by laser surgery. Because sutures are not usually placed, the chance for hemorrhage after this type of surgery is higher than after surgery involving a closed incision. The danger of aspiration of blood at the time of surgery and the danger of a general anesthetic also compound the risk. The patient's bleeding and clotting times should be reviewed prior to surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative hemorrhage. Urine specific gravity is not impacted by a tonsillectomy. Pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure measurement are a part of routine vital sign assessment. These measurements do not impact the care of the patient having a tonsillectomy.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
The nurse should help parents understand the importance of completing the full prescribed days of therapy in order to ensure all the streptococci are eradicated. If they are not, the child may develop a hypersensitivity or autoimmune reaction to group A streptococci that can result in rheumatic fever. Lymph node swelling should not occur if antibiotic therapy is initiated and continued as prescribed. The nurse should instruct parents about the importance of rest. This type of infection is not known to cause tooth abscesses.