When providing postoperative care for a child with a cleft palate, the nurse would place the child in which of the following positions?

Explanation

• After a cleft palate repair, the child should be placed lying on its side to facilitate drainage and maintain a patent airway.

• While in immediate post-op recovery, the child may be placed on its abdomen to facilitate drainage as this position is more effective for drainage than side-lying.

• Infants with a cleft palate cannot suck effectively because pressing their tongue or a nipple against the roof of their mouth could force milk up into their pharynx, leading to aspiration.

Incorrect options:

• If the child is placed in the supine position, he or she may aspirate. Trendelenburg will increase the risk of aspiration.

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