The presence of 'coffee-ground' emesis in a patient with a known peptic ulcer indicates which complication?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Hemorrhage
Coffee-ground emesis is caused by the reaction of blood with gastric acid, which oxidizes the iron in hemoglobin to hematin. This is a classic sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from an ulcer.
Keep practicing
More Peptic Ulcer Disease questions
- Perforation of a peptic ulcer on the anterior wall of the duodenum typically results in:
- Ulcers located on the posterior wall of the duodenum are most likely to erode into which vessel?
- Which of the following is an absolute requirement for the diagnosis of a gastric ulcer as benign on biopsy?
- Hypertrophy of Brunner glands in the duodenum is often a reactive change to:
- Which factor is the most important defense mechanism of the gastric mucosa against acid?
- Cushing ulcers, associated with increased intracranial pressure, primarily develop due to: