Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What indicates a bleed in the lower GI tract?

1. Dark red blood in feces

2. Bright red blood in feces

3. Blood in vomit

4. Deoxygenated blood in the tissue

The correct answer is: Bright red blood in feces

The presence of bright red blood in feces, indicative of a bleed in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is often associated with conditions affecting the rectum or lower intestines, such as hemorrhoids or diverticular disease. Bright red blood suggests that the blood has not been significantly digested, which is characteristic of a source closer to the lower end of the GI tract. This timing and point of origin make it distinct from blood from upper GI sources, which typically appears dark and tarry due to the digestion process that occurs as it passes through the system. In contrast, dark red blood or melena indicates upper GI bleeding as the blood undergoes digestion and changes color. Blood in vomit usually signifies bleeding in the upper GI tract, such as the stomach or esophagus, and does not pertain to lower GI tract issues. Deoxygenated blood in the tissue does not directly indicate gastrointestinal bleeding; instead, it refers to the state of blood in a systemic context, which doesn't help in identifying the site of a GI bleed.