Initial investigations
The initial tests are to provide information about:
- the presence and degree of blood loss
- the patient's blood type to allow cross-matching
Tests should include:
- faecal occult blood test, if bleeding is not obvious
- haemoglobin
- haematocrit
- electrolytes and urea
- group blood and cross-match 4 units
Reference
- Sengupta N, Feuerstein JD, Jairath V, et al. Management of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: an updated ACG guideline. Am J Gastroenterol. 2023 Feb 1;118(2):208-31.
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