After a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, what should the nurse teach parents to offer their child?

After a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, one of the recommended practices for managing post-operative care is to offer ice chips for the child to suck on. Ice chips serve several purposes: they help provide hydration, soothe the throat, and minimize swelling by maintaining a cool temperature in the oral cavity. This can make the child more comfortable during their recovery process.

Offering ice chips can also encourage children to slowly take in fluids, which is vital post-surgery to prevent dehydration. It's gentle on the throat unlike harder or more abrasive foods that might irritate the surgical site.

In contrast, while ice cream might seem appealing due to its soft texture, it could potentially coat the throat and lead to discomfort by causing irritation, and it does not provide the same cooling effect as ice chips. Keeping a child in a supine position is not typically advised; semi-upright positioning is generally encouraged to help reduce swelling and avoid any complications related to airway management. Gargling with a diluted mouthwash solution could irritate the throat post-surgery, as the action of gargling might exert unnecessary stress on the surgical sites.

Therefore, the recommendation of ice chips aligns best with post-operative care by addressing the need for hydration, comfort, and minimizing