A 46-year-old female alcoholic is hypotensive, in severe distress, complaining of dysphagia, and vomiting bright red blood. Of the following, which is the most likely cause of this patient's clinical condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are consistent with bleeding from esophageal varices, which is a common complication of chronic alcoholism. Hemorrhagic pancreatitis may also cause gastrointestinal bleeding, but it typically presents with severe abdominal pain. Acute gastroenteritis and acute gastric ulcer perforation are less likely to cause hypotension and severe distress unless the bleeding is significant, but they should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

A 46-Year-Old Female Alcoholic Is Hypotensive, in Severe Distress, Complaining