A patient in the clinic reports projectile vomiting without nausea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. What action by the healthcare professional is most appropriate?
A)Provide antiemetic medications.
B)Arrange a brain scan.
C)Administer intravenous hydration.
D)Schedule a GI consultation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Projectile vomiting is caused by the direct stimulation of the vomiting center by neurologic lesions such as increased intracranial pressure, tumors, or aneurysms of the brainstem. The professional should arrange a CT scan or MRI of the brain. It can also be caused by gastric outlet obstruction, but the patient does not report pain which is a common finding in that condition, so a GI consultation is not warranted at this time. Antiemetics might be helpful but are not the priority. There is no indication that the patient is dehydrated, but if that were the case, hydration would be important.

A Patient in the Clinic Reports Projectile Vomiting Without Nausea