Gastrointestinal bleeding. Understanding the different causes of GI bleeding will help you perform a thorough patient assessment and provide accurate care.

Sarah and Michael were able to obtain their patient's blood pressure and heart rate while she was lying in bed as her blood pressure changed from 110/84 to 92/60 and her heart rate increased from 94 to 112 beats per minute. In speaking with her, they learned she was trying to break herself of long-standing alcoholism and had not had a drink in over a week. She had been taking aspirin for her "pains all over." They secured her to their cot in a position of comfort and Sarah established an IV, initiated a fluid bolus of normal saline and administered Zofran to control the patient's nausea and vomiting. In the emergency department, the patient was diagnosed with esophageal varices and was taken to the operating room for repair.