North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

In the case of a lower GI bleed, what type of stool appearance is typical?

1. Clay-colored

2. Bright red or wine-colored

3. Pale and watery

4. Dark and tarry

The correct answer is: Bright red or wine-colored

In the context of a lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleed, the characteristic appearance of the stool is typically bright red or wine-colored. This is due to the fact that a lower GI bleed occurs in the colon or rectum, and the blood does not have to travel far to exit the body, which allows it to maintain a red color. When a patient presents with such stool characteristics, it indicates that the source of bleeding is likely in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract, such as from hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, or colorectal cancer. Bright red blood can often be seen on the surface of the stool or as part of the stool itself, indicating fresh bleeding. Understanding these color indications is crucial for making an appropriate assessment and determining the urgency of the situation. Each of the other stool appearances represents different clinical conditions; for instance, clay-colored stools suggest issues with bile production, pale and watery stools may indicate malabsorption or infection, and dark and tarry stools point to upper GI bleeding where the blood has had time to undergo digestion transforming it into a darker color. Thus, recognizing bright red or wine-colored stool as indicative of a lower GI bleed is an important part of assessing a patient with gastrointestinal symptoms.