12-27-2008, 01:39 AM
A 77-year-old woman is brought to the emergency
department after
collapsing at home. Six hours ago, she had the sudden
onset of massive
bright red rectal bleeding. On arrival, her blood
pressure is 90/60 mm
Hg, and pulse is 120/min. Abdominal examination shows
no
abnormalities. Insertion of a nasogastric tube yields
clear aspirate. Her
hematocrit is 28%. Which of the following is the most
likely diagnosis?
A
) Colon cancer
B
) Diverticulosis
C
) Duodenal ulcer
D
) Hemorrhoids
E
) Inflammatory bowel disease