The nurse is caring for a patient who has a bleeding gastric ulcer. How will the nurse expect the patient's stool to appear?
A) Soft and formed with bright red streaks
B) Watery with particles of undigested food
C) Sticky and black with strong foul odor
D) Hard lumps that are difficult to pass

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bleeding within the upper GI tract will cause stools to appear black and tarry with a foul odor as the blood is digested by the lower GI tract. Bleeding within the lower GI tract presents with soft stools that have bright red streaks. Watery stool with particles of food is indicative of gastroenteritis. Hard lumps that are difficult to pass indicate constipation, often from medications or lack of fiber in the diet.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has a Bleeding