Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 26

A black tarry stool is indicative of:

A. Upper GI bleeding

B. Lower GI bleeding

C. Excess fat

D. Excess carbohydrates

Step 1 of 2

Color of feces:

The normal color of the feces is brown color and when there is a gastrointestinal (GI) disturbance then there might be a change in the color and the consistency of feces.

• The brown color of stool is caused by urobilin.

• If any area of the intestinal tract bleeds, stool color can appear bright red or black or dark red.

• Blood originated from esophagus, stomach and duodenum (Upper Gastro Intestine) will take 3 days to appear in stool.

• The hemoglobin degradation during these 3 days changes the stool color black and tarry.

Therefore, the black tarry feces signify that the “Upper GI bleeding”. Hence, the correct answer is option.