Question

Following tonsillectomy, which of the health care provider's prescriptions would the nurse question?

a) Administering acetaminophen for pain
b) Encouraging oral fluids
c) Administering aspirin for fever
d) Monitoring for signs of bleeding

Answer 1

Following a tonsillectomy, administering aspirin for fever should be questioned due to the increased risk of bleeding associated with NSAIDs. Acetaminophen is safer for pain relief, and oral fluids and monitoring for bleeding are appropriate care measures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to post-operative care following a tonsillectomy. The health care provider's prescription that a nurse should question is c) Administering aspirin for fever. The reason to question the use of aspirin is that it is part of a group of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These medications can increase the risk of bleeding, which is a particular concern post-surgery. After a tonsillectomy, it is important to monitor for signs of bleeding and to avoid medications that could exacerbate this risk. On the other hand, acetaminophen (known as paracetamol in some countries) is typically safe for pain relief post-tonsillectomy as it does not have the same blood-thinning effects as NSAIDs. Encouraging oral fluids and monitoring for signs of bleeding are appropriate post-operative care measures.