What vital signs would you expect to see in GI bleeding?

What vital signs would you expect to see in GI bleeding?

General examination focuses on vital signs and other indicators of shock or hypovolemia (eg, tachycardia, tachypnea, pallor, diaphoresis, oliguria, confusion) and anemia (eg, pallor, diaphoresis). Patients with lesser degrees of bleeding may simply have mild tachycardia (heart rate > 100) or no signs at all.

Does GI bleed cause hypotension?

Hematochezia (red or maroon blood in the stool) is usually due to lower GI bleeding. However, it can occur with massive upper GI bleeding [9], which is typically associated with orthostatic hypotension.

What are the best clinical indicators of acute GI bleeding blood loss?

Overt bleeding might show up as: Vomiting blood, which might be red or might be dark brown and resemble coffee grounds in texture. Black, tarry stool. Rectal bleeding, usually in or with stool.

What do you monitor with a GI bleed?

Diagnosis

• Blood tests. You may need a complete blood count, a test to see how fast your blood clots, a platelet count and liver function tests.
• Stool tests.
• Nasogastric lavage.
• Upper endoscopy.
• Colonoscopy.
• Capsule endoscopy.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy.
• Balloon-assisted enteroscopy.

What is a upper GI bleed?

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is a medical condition in which heavy bleeding occurs in the upper parts of the digestive tract: the esophagus (tube between the mouth and stomach), the stomach or the small intestine. This is often a medical emergency.

How is upper GI bleeding diagnosed?

Doctors most often use upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy to test for acute GI bleeding in the upper and lower GI tracts. Upper GI endoscopy. In an upper GI endoscopy, your doctor feeds an endoscope down your esophagus and into your stomach and duodenum.

What is the most common presentation of upper GI bleeding?

Hematemesis and melena are the most common presentations of acute UGIB, and patients may present with both symptoms. Assessing the patient for hemodynamic instability and clinical signs of poor perfusion is important early in the initial evaluation to properly triage patients with massive hemorrhage to ICU settings.

Can upper GI bleeding cause Hematochezia?

Hematochezia is the passage of gross blood from the rectum and usually indicates lower GI bleeding but may result from vigorous upper GI bleeding with rapid transit of blood through the intestines.

What is upper and lower GI bleeding?

GI bleeding can occur in any of these organs. If bleeding occurs in your esophagus, stomach, or initial part of the small intestine (duodenum), it’s considered upper GI bleeding. Bleeding in the lower small intestine, large intestine, rectum, or anus is called lower GI bleeding.

How is an upper GI bleed diagnosed?

Upper GI bleeding is most commonly diagnosed after your doctor performs an endoscopic examination. Endoscopy is a procedure that involves the use of a small camera located atop a long, flexible endoscopic tube your doctor places down your throat. The scope is then passed through your upper GI tract.

What factors can contribute to an upper GI bleed?

Potential causes of bleeding in the upper GI tract include:

• Bleeding peptic ulcers. Peptic, or stomach, ulcers may be due to a Helicobacter pylori infection or overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Varices.
• Growths.
• Esophagitis.
• Injury or tear.
• Surgery.
• Diverticulitis.
• Hemorrhoid.

What are the signs and symptoms of upper GI bleeding?

Upper GI Bleeding. The common manifestations are hematemesis or melena, while very brisk UGI bleeding can present with hemodynamic changes (symptoms of dizziness, dyspnea or shock) and/or hematochezia. The age of the pediatric patient is helpful when determining the differential diagnosis.

What is the level of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract?

The level of bleeding can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. Sophisticated imaging technology, when needed, can usually locate the cause of the bleeding. Treatment depends on the source of the bleeding. Signs and symptoms of GI bleeding can be either obvious (overt) or hidden (occult).

What are the signs and symptoms of UGI bleeding in children?

The common manifestations are hematemesis or melena, while very brisk UGI bleeding can present with hemodynamic changes (symptoms of dizziness, dyspnea or shock) and/or hematochezia. The age of the pediatric patient is helpful when determining the differential diagnosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of rectal bleeding?

Signs and symptoms depend on the location of the bleed, which can be anywhere on the GI tract, from where it starts — the mouth — to where it ends — the anus — and the rate of bleeding. Overt bleeding might show up as: Vomiting blood, which might be red or might be dark brown and resemble coffee grounds in texture