Final answer:
A sign indicating brainstem involvement after the surgical removal of a brain tumor would be the inability to swallow, as the brainstem governs this vital function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse caring for a child after surgical removal of a brain tumor should assess for signs of brainstem involvement due to the surgery. One crucial sign of brainstem involvement is the inability to swallow. The brainstem controls many basic life functions, including swallowing, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This sign would suggest an issue with the nerves or parts of the brainstem that are responsible for the swallowing reflex.
Assessing the swallowing ability is part of a neurological exam which helps determine the function of the nervous system and whether there are signs of trauma or lesions in specific areas, including the brainstem. Other potential signs of brainstem involvement mentioned in the neurological assessments include altered motor control, sensory deficits, and reflex changes.