A patient post- tonsillectomy is transferred back to his room from the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU). What is the safest progression of diet for the patient?

Explanation

•Post- tonsillectomy patients follow the normal progression of diet after surgery. Historically, on the first post- operative day, the patient will be NPO until normal bowel function has returned. Then the patient will be advanced to clear liquids, full liquids, soft diet, and finally a regular diet as tolerated.

•Current research shows that most patients can be safely started on a diet prior to signs of the return of bowel function.


•The other diet progressions listed are incorrect.

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