Which of the following indicates a potential complication in a child post-tonsillectomy?

Frequent swallowing in a child post-tonsillectomy can indicate a potential complication, particularly bleeding. After tonsillectomy, it's normal for a child to experience discomfort and throat pain, which can lead to changes in swallowing patterns. However, if a child is swallowing frequently, it may be a sign that they are trying to clear blood or secretions from their throat, a behavior that might suggest active bleeding. This is particularly concerning, as secondary bleeding can occur up to several days post-surgery, and it may require immediate medical evaluation and intervention.

The other symptoms listed may pertain to various post-operative conditions but do not directly point to the same level of concern as frequent swallowing does. Moaning could indicate discomfort, while drooling might occur due to difficulty in swallowing or mouth care practices. Stridor would typically indicate respiratory distress or obstruction, which is also serious but not as directly linked to the complications one might expect directly related to tonsillectomy recovery. Overall, frequent swallowing stands out as a strong indicator that further assessment is warranted to rule out bleeding complications.