A nurse in an outpatient clinic is caring for a client

Vital Signs
BP 124/68 mm Hg
Heart rate 80/min

Temperature 37° C (98.6° F) Respiratory rate 16/min Weight 67.1 kg (148 lb)

A. Attends school regularly: While attending school regularly is important, it is not an immediate concern that requires follow-up compared to the other more pressing issues related to the traumatic event and the client's mental well-being.
B. Caregiver reporting client acting differently than usual: This finding requires immediate follow-up because it indicates a change in the client's behavior and could be indicative of emotional distress or mental health issues, especially considering the recent traumatic event they experienced.

C. Witnessing their family's death: Witnessing the death of family members in a traumatic event like a tornado is a significant and potentially traumatizing experience that requires immediate follow-up and support.
D. Heart rate 99/min: While a heart rate of 99/min is slightly elevated, it is not a critical finding that requires immediate follow-up in this context. The other findings are more relevant to the client's psychological well-being.
E. Smoking marijuana to clear their mind: The client's use of marijuana to cope with their thoughts and feelings should be addressed promptly, as it could indicate maladaptive coping mechanisms or potential substance abuse.
F. Client experiences nightmares: Experiencing nightmares could be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health concerns related to the traumatic event.
G. BP 122/80 mm Hg: A blood pressure of 122/80 mm Hg is within a normal range and is not a cause for immediate concern.
H. Startles easy during thunderstorm: While startle responses can be related to anxiety, this specific finding is not as pressing as the client's reported coping mechanisms and traumatic experiences.

Choice A rationale:

A sore throat is a common and expected finding after a tonsillectomy due to irritation from the procedure. While it can cause discomfort, it is not a priority concern unless it worsens significantly or is accompanied by other symptoms indicating complications such as bleeding or infection.

Choice B rationale:

Frequent swallowing can be a sign of bleeding after a tonsillectomy. The child may swallow more often to clear blood or blood clots from the throat, which could indicate that there is active bleeding from the surgical site.

Choice C rationale:

Blood-tinged mucus is a common finding in the immediate postoperative period after a tonsillectomy. It is expected due to the healing process and is not a cause for concern unless it becomes profuse or is accompanied by active bleeding.

Choice D rationale:

While dark brown vomit may indicate that the child has swallowed blood, it is not as immediately concerning as frequent swallowing, which could suggest active bleeding at the surgical site. Dark brown emesis is typically less alarming, but it should still be monitored closely.