Question

You arrive on scene to find a 70-year-old man complaining of abdominal pain. He said he just vomited bright red blood. He is diaphoretic and pale. The patient may have ____.

A. appendicitis
B. GERD
C. gallstones
D. a gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Answer 1

The 70-year-old man's symptoms of vomiting bright red blood, being diaphoretic, and pale indicate that he is likely suffering from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage, which is an emergency and needs immediate medical attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition described in the question, where a 70-year-old man presents with symptoms such as vomiting bright red blood, being diaphoretic (sweating profusely) and appearing pale, suggests he may be experiencing a gastrointestinal hemorrhage. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Unlike conditions like appendicitis, GERD, or gallstones which may present with abdominal pain but not typically vomiting of bright red blood, a gastrointestinal hemorrhage is consistent with these symptoms. In the context of gastrointestinal issues, bright red vomit is a hallmark sign of upper GI bleeding, and the other symptoms such as sweating and paleness reinforce the urgency of this diagnosis.