after a tonsillectomy, a child begins to vomit bright red blood. the nurse should take which initial action?a. turn the child to the side b. administer the prescribed antiemetic c. notify the healthcare providerd. maintain NPO status
A. TURN THE CHILD TO THE SIDE
The initial action the nurse should take after a child begins to vomit bright red blood following a tonsillectomy is to turn the child to the side to prevent the possibility of aspiration. This is important to ensure that the child does not inhale any of the vomit into their lungs.
After turning the child to the side, the nurse should notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is because vomiting bright red blood after a tonsillectomy can indicate hemorrhage, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. The healthcare provider will need to assess the child’s condition and determine the appropriate course of action, which may include administering medications, performing additional procedures, or transferring the child to a higher level of care.
Administering an antiemetic or maintaining NPO status may be appropriate interventions in some cases, but they should not be the initial action taken when the child is vomiting bright red blood after a tonsillectomy. The priority is to ensure the child’s safety and prevent complications associated with hemorrhage.
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