Gastrointestinal System ATI Related

Review Gastrointestinal System ATI related questions and content

Kevin has a history of peptic ulcer disease and vomits coffee-ground emesis. What does this indicate?

  • A. He has fresh, active upper GI bleeding.
  • B. He needs immediate saline gastric lavage.
  • C. His gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
  • D. He needs a transfusion of packed RBCs.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Coffee-ground emesis is a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that occurred approximately 2 hours earlier. It results from the breakdown of blood in the stomach due to digestive enzymes, giving it a coffee-ground appearance. Choice A is incorrect because coffee-ground emesis indicates older, partially digested blood, not fresh active bleeding. Choice B is incorrect as gastric lavage is not indicated for coffee-ground emesis. Choice D is incorrect because a transfusion of packed RBCs is not the immediate management for this presentation.