Hemoptysis is defined as which of the following?

• A. Vomiting of blood
• B. Coughing of blood
• C. Blood in stool
• D. Nosebleed

Answer: (B)

Hemoptysis means coughing up blood from the lungs or airways. It indicates bleeding within the respiratory tract and is commonly seen with conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary embolism, or trauma to the chest. It differs from other sources of blood in the body: vomiting blood comes from the stomach or esophagus (hematemesis), blood in the stool comes from the GI tract (hematochezia or melena), and a nosebleed comes from the nasal passages (epistaxis). In practice, if you encounter hemoptysis, support the airway, provide oxygen as needed, monitor breathing and circulation, and transport promptly if the bleeding is heavy or the patient is in distress while addressing potential underlying causes.