Labs and Diagnostics
A drop in these labs confirms acute blood loss?
What is Hgb and HCT
Which vital sign change is the earliest indicator of active bleeding?
What is Tachycardia (Heart Rate)
This antiemetic is commonly used during GI bleeding to prevent vomiting and reduce vasovagal responses.
What is Ondansetron (Zofran)
To reduce GI motility and prepare for diagnostics, the nurse keeps the patient on this diet order.
What is NPO
This skin color change is commonly seen early in lower GI bleeding due to decreased perfusion.
What is pallor (pale skin)
Which lab should the nurse monitor hourly during active bleeding to assess severity?
What is Hgb
A patient reports dizziness and near syncope when standing. What does this indicate?
What is orthostatic hypotension from blood loss
This medication class is given IV to reduce GI irritation and stabilize clots by decreasing gastric acid.
What are PPIs (Pantoprazole/Protonix)
Before colonoscopy or transfusion, the nurse inserts these IV lines.
A capillary refill time of greater than 3 seconds indicates this perfusion problem.
What is decreased tissue perfusion from blood loss.
What is the first line diagnostic procedure in lower GI bleeding?
Colonoscopy
Lower GI bleeds are always painful
T/F
False- they are often painless
This blood product is administered to help improve clotting factors during uncontrolled GI bleeding.
FFP (Fresh Frozen Plasma)
This intervention prevents injury when a patient becomes dizzy from blood loss.
Fall precautions
(assist with ambulation)
The skin color of a patient can help differentiate upper vs lower GI bleed.
T/F
False- stool color does; skin color reflects perfusion, not bleed location.
Which coagulation lab is essential before procedures like colonoscopy or surgery?
What is PT/INR - To assess risk for bleeding
What urinary sign shows worsening hypovolemia?
What is low urine output <30 mL/hr
A patient with INR 3.9 and active bleeding is ordered this medication to reverse anticoagulation.
What is vitamin K
When documenting stools, the nurse must always include these 3 characteristics.
Color/ Amount/ Consistency
Blue or dusky nail beds in a bleeding patient indicate this serious oxygenation issue.
Cyanosis from inadequate oxygen delivery.
What scan can show bleeding not seen on a colonoscopy?
What is RBC scan
This type of GI bleed typically presents with black, tarry, stool, while the other presents with bright red or maroon stool.
Name which is upper GI and which is lower GI.
What is...
Upper GI = melena (black, tarry)
Lower GI = hematochezia (bright red or maroon)
A patient with chronic lower GI bleeding and anemia will likely be prescribed what medication?
What is Oral iron supplements
(ferrous sulfate)
A patient with a lower GI bleed becomes suddenly confused with BP 84/50 and HR 145.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
Initiate rapid fluid resuscitation and notify the provider (signs of hypovolemic shock).
Grey, ashen skin in a bleeding patient signals this life threatening complication.
Severe hypovolemic shock