Rectal Bleeding

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Rectal bleeding is a type of lower GI bleeding. GI stands for gastro-intestinal. The lower GI includes the intestines (bowel) and rectum. The rectum is the last part of the intestine that ends at the anus. The anus is the opening where BM is passed from the body. Rectal bleeding occurs in the rectum. Many things can cause bleeding in your rectum. Possible causes are hemorrhoids, anal tears, infection, polyps, and cancer. It is a symptom that requires a thorough search for its cause. You may need more tests before your caregiver knows what is causing the bleeding.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Without treatment, you may continue to bleed and could die. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

• Gown: A hospital gown is needed so that your caregivers can easily check and treat you. Put your gown on so that it opens in the back. When you feel better you may be able to wear your own gown or pajamas.
  
  
• Vital Signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which will give your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope (steth-uh-skop). Your vital signs may be taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.
  
  
• Pulse Oximeter (oks-ih-mih-ter): This is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers will learn how much oxygen is in your body.
  
  
• Intake/Output: Your caregivers may need to know the amount of liquid you are getting. They may also need to know how much you are urinating. Caregivers often call this "I&O."
  
  
  • When you are allowed, drink 6 to 8 (soda-pop can size) glasses of water each day. Or, follow your caregivers advice if you must limit the amount of liquid you drink. If you are on I&O, tell your caregiver how much liquid you drink.
    
    
  • Ask your caregiver if it is OK to flush your urine down the toilet. It may need to be measured before it is thrown away.
  
  
• Activity:
  
  
  • You may need to rest in bed. You may be allowed out of bed once you are feeling better. If you are not allowed out of bed, you can still exercise your legs in bed. Do this by lifting one leg off the bed and drawing big circles with your toes. Then do it with the other leg. Another good exercise is to lay on your side and pretend to pedal a bike. This makes your legs stronger and helps prevent blood clots from forming. Stop if you become tired.
    
    
  • Your caregiver will tell you when it is OK to get out of bed. Call your caregiver before getting up for the first time. If you ever feel weak or dizzy, sit or lie down right away. Then call your caregiver.
  
  
• Blood Tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a vein in your hand or from the bend in your elbow. It will be tested to see how your body is handling your illness. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube will be capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
  
  
• Blood Transfusion: You may need a blood transfusion if your blood count is low. This is called anemia. Or, you may need a blood transfusion because you have lost a lot of blood. Many people are worried about getting AIDS or hepatitis from a blood transfusion. The risk of this happening is rare. Usually the risk of not getting the blood is greater than getting AIDS or hepatitis. If your body doesn't have enough blood, you could have a heart attack or die.
  
  
• Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen during your illness or injury. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. Or, it may be given through nasal prongs (short, thin tubes in your nose). Tell your caregiver if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the nasal prongs bother you. Don't take off your oxygen without asking your caregiver. If you do, your body may not have enough oxygen.
  
  
• Heart Monitor: This may also be called an EKG or an electrocardiogram (e-lek-tro-kar-d-o-gram). It is a painless test to see how your heart is working. Sticky pads are placed on different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire that is hooked to a TV-type screen or to a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen or box shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Caregivers can watch this tracing for any problems with the way your heart is beating.
  
  
• NG Tube: This may also be called a nasogastric (na-zo-gas-trik) tube. This tube may be put in your nose and down into your stomach. The tube is attached to suction (vacuum) which will keep the stomach empty. This tube may help get your bowels working. Sometimes food or medicine can be given through the NG tube.
  
  
• Informed Consent:
  
  
  • You have the right to understand your health problem. In words you can understand, you should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your problem. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment.
    
    
  • You may be asked to sign a consent form. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that gives your doctor permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. This form should tell you exactly what will be done to you. Your doctor should tell you what the risks and benefits of each treatment are before you sign the form. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.
  
  
• Colonoscopy(ko-lun-oss-kuh-p): This is a test used to look at the part of your intestine (bowel) called the colon. A tube with a light on the end is gently put into your anus (rear end). It is then pushed into the colon. Your caregiver can then look inside the colon to find the cause of your problem.
  
  
• Anoscopy: This test lets care givers look inside your anus and rectum. The anus is the opening where BM is passed from your body. The rectum is the last part of the intestine (bowel). Petroleum jelly is put onto a short plastic or metal tube. The tube is then gently pushed into your anus and up the rectum. Your caregiver can take samples of BM to be sent to a lab for tests. This helps him/her find the cause of your problem.
  
  
• Sigmoidoscopy(sig-moid-oss-kuh-p): This is a test to look at the parts of your intestine (bowel) called the sigmoid and the rectum. Both are the lower parts of your bowel near the anus (rear end). A tube with a light on the end is gently pushed into your anus. It is then pushed into the bowel. Your caregiver can then look inside the sigmoid and rectum to find the cause of your problem.
  
  
• CVP Line: A CVP line is also called a central line. It is an IV catheter (kath-uh-ter) placed into a large blood vessel near your collarbone or in your neck. The head of your bed may be lowered to help the blood vessel fill up. This may make it easier to put in the catheter. The skin where the catheter will be placed is numbed so you won't feel pain when it is put in. Once in place, the IV may be used to give medicines. It may also be used to measure how your heart is doing before and after surgery.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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