The nurse would expect a client experiencing an upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed to have black tarry stools (melena). As blood passes through the Gl tract, digestion of the blood ensues, producing the black tarry appearance.
(Option 2) Bright red bloody stool (hematochezia) would indicate a lower Gl hemorrhage.
(Option 3) Decreased bile flow into the intestine due to biliary obstruction would produce a light gray "clay-colored" stool.
(Option 4) Small, dry, rocky-hard masses are an indication of constipation. Inactivity, słow peristalsis, low intake of fiber in the diet, decreased fluid intake, and some medications (eg. anticholinergics) may contribute to constipation.
Educational objective: Clients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed tend to have black tarry stools (melena). Lower GI bleeding will have bright red bloody stool. Blood present on surface of stool indicates hemorrhoids.
The nurse would expect a client experiencing an upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed to have black tarry stools (melena). As blood passes through the Gl tract, digestion of the blood ensues, producing the black tarry appearance.
(Option 2) Bright red bloody stool (hematochezia) would indicate a lower Gl hemorrhage.
(Option 3) Decreased bile flow into the intestine due to biliary obstruction would produce a light gray "clay-colored" stool.
(Option 4) Small, dry, rocky-hard masses are an indication of constipation. Inactivity, słow peristalsis, low intake of fiber in the diet, decreased fluid intake, and some medications (eg. anticholinergics) may contribute to constipation.
Educational objective: Clients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed tend to have black tarry stools (melena). Lower GI bleeding will have bright red bloody stool. Blood present on surface of stool indicates hemorrhoids.
