Final answer:
Administering analgesic medication on a schedule is essential for pain management, avoiding acidic drinks like orange juice to prevent throat irritation, and not positioning the child supine to reduce the risk of aspiration after a tonsillectomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a child in the postoperative period following a tonsillectomy, the nurse should take several actions to ensure safety and promote healing. Firstly, it's not recommended to encourage the child to blow their nose gently because this may disturb the surgical site. The nurse should instead administer analgesic medication on a schedule to manage pain, as adequate pain control can reduce stress and facilitate recovery. Orange juice should be avoided as the acidity can irritate the throat; instead, offer the child cold, non-acidic drinks and soft foods. Lastly, positioning the child supine could increase the risk of aspiration and is not advised; the child should be placed in a side-lying position or with the head of the bed elevated to allow for better drainage and to reduce swelling.