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Rate the severity of the blood in your vomit

Healthwise
By Jan Nissl, RN, BS

Small amount of blood in vomit

  • Bright red streaks of blood. This is usually caused when vomiting irritates the mouth, nose, or the esophagus.

Moderate amount of blood in vomit

  • 1 cup (237 mL) of vomit that is mostly blood or material that looks like coffee grounds (partially digested blood) or
  • Several episodes of vomiting of mostly blood or material that looks like coffee grounds (partially digested blood)

Large amount of blood in vomit

  • More than 1 cup (237 mL) of vomit that is mostly blood or material that looks like coffee grounds (partially digested blood) or
  • Several episodes of vomiting with 1 cup (237 mL) or more of mostly blood or material that looks like coffee grounds (partially digested blood)

Credits

Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated July 6, 2007
Last Updated: 07/06/2007

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