After posterior packing for a severe nosebleed, what complication should an elderly client be monitored for?

After posterior packing for a severe nosebleed, monitoring for hypoventilation is particularly important in elderly clients due to several physiological changes associated with aging. The placement of posterior packing can potentially compromise the airway or lead to discomfort, increasing the risk of respiratory difficulties.

In elderly patients, the respiratory system may already be somewhat compromised, with decreased lung capacity and weakened respiratory muscles. If packing causes any discomfort or anxiety, it might lead to shallow breathing or a reduced respiratory rate, culminating in hypoventilation. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the elderly are more susceptible to respiratory complications.

Additionally, complications related to airway management, such as edema or pressure on the airway from the packing, could result in impaired ventilation, making it crucial to keep a close watch on respiratory function in these patients. While the other options like vertigo, Bell's palsy, and loss of gag reflex are valid concerns in some contexts, they are not as directly tied to the immediate aftermath of posterior nasal packing as hypoventilation.