The nurse assessing a client with an upper gastrointestinal bleed would expect the client's stool to have which appearance?

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11ecbb05_c98e_2874_b433_9f1f428dee73_MD0009_00 The nurse would expect a client experiencing an upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed to have black tarry stools (melena). As blood passes through the GI tract, digestion of the blood ensues, producing the black tarry appearance. (Option B) Bright red bloody stool (hematochezia) would indicate a lower GI hemorrhage. (Option C) Decreased bile flow into the intestine due to biliary obstruction would produce a light gray "clay-colored" stool. (Option D) Small, dry, rocky-hard masses are an indication of constipation. Inactivity, slow 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 Assessing a Client with an Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed