The nurse is caring for a patient who is passing bright red blood rectally. The nurse should expect to insert a nasogastric tube to:
a. rule out massive upper GI bleeding.
b. detect the presence of melena in the stomach.
c. visually determine the presence of occult bleeding.
d. obtain samples for guaiac to confirm current bleeding.
A
Bright red or maroon blood (hematochezia) is usually a sign of a lower GI source of bleeding but can be seen when upper GI bleeding is massive (more than 1000 mL). Melena is shiny, black, foul-smelling stool; it is not present in the stomach. Occult bleeding means that blood is not visible and is detected only by testing the stool with a chemical reagent (guaiac).
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