GIB Style Points

Important Style Points:

If:

• chief complaint on tracking board is "blood per rectum", "dark stools", or "anemia"

Then:

• grab a guaiac card, lube and developer, and a blood consent form before you go into the room so you have it with you when you walk in there.

Questions to ask:

• history of GI bleeds/peptic ulcers?
• taking PPI?
• NSAIDs? Anticoagulants?
• easy bleeding/bruising?
• taking iron supplements or pepto bismol? (can cause dark stools that seem like a GI bleed but there isn't one)
• menstrual cycle/vaginal bleeding?