A patient is experiencing melena. What does this observation indicate to the nurse?
a. The patient has a ruptured diverticulum
b. The patient has ingested a large volume of red meat
c. Blood has begun to seep into the stomach over the last 3 hours from esophageal varices
d. Blood has been in the gastrointestinal tract for more than 8 hours after being in contact with hydrochloric acid
ANS: B
When blood has been in the GI tract for more than 8 hours and has come in contact with hydrochloric acid, it causes melena, or black and tarry stools. A. B. C. These are not identified causes for the development of melena.
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