Why is green vomit considered an emergency?

Why is green vomit considered an emergency?

• A. It can indicate bile and may signify a bowel obstruction
• B. It indicates dehydration
• C. It indicates gastritis
• D. It indicates a stomach infection

Answer: (C)

Green vomit means bilious emesis, so bile is present in the vomitus. Bile can reach the stomach when flow is blocked downstream, such as with a bowel obstruction or a serious ileus, causing the stomach to expel not just food but bile as well. This is an emergency because a bowel obstruction can progress quickly to compromised blood flow, tissue death, perforation, sepsis, and significant fluid and electrolyte loss. Urgent evaluation is needed—vital signs, IV fluids, labs, and imaging—with potential surgical intervention if obstruction is suspected. In contrast, gastritis, dehydration, or a stomach infection don’t specifically produce bilious (green) emesis.

Green vomit means bilious emesis, so bile is present in the vomitus. Bile can reach the stomach when flow is blocked downstream, such as with a bowel obstruction or a serious ileus, causing the stomach to expel not just food but bile as well. This is an emergency because a bowel obstruction can progress quickly to compromised blood flow, tissue death, perforation, sepsis, and significant fluid and electrolyte loss. Urgent evaluation is needed—vital signs, IV fluids, labs, and imaging—with potential surgical intervention if obstruction is suspected. In contrast, gastritis, dehydration, or a stomach infection don’t specifically produce bilious (green) emesis.