What term refers to vomiting blood?

• A. Hematemesis
• B. Compression
• C. Cavity
• D. Benign

Answer: (A)

Vomiting blood is described by the term hematemesis. The word combines roots for blood and vomiting, and it’s the medical label used when a patient is actively bleeding into the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as from the esophagus, stomach, or proximal small intestine. Recognizing hematemesis helps distinguish this symptom from other signs of GI issues, like melena (black, tarry stools) or hematochezia (visible blood in stool). The other options don’t describe a symptom of vomiting blood: compression isn’t a symptom term for this, a cavity refers to a hollow space in the body, and benign describes a non-cancerous state rather than a bleeding presentation.