Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Assess the significance of rectal bleeding and discuss the likely source and next steps.
Clinical learning outcomes: Awaiting named clinical review.
What you should learn
- Recognise haemodynamic concern and seek urgent help.
- Present possible causes, medication risks and appropriate initial investigations.
Recognise and explain
- A rectal presentation does not always establish a lower-GI source.
On your placement
Agree the activity and supervision with the clinical team. For patient-facing learning, seek permission and respect the patient’s comfort and care needs.
- Take a bleeding and medication history.
- Assess observations and perfusion with a clinician.
- Follow the plan for blood tests, venous access and specialist review.
Start here
MLA: gastrointestinal history
Gather a focused gastrointestinal and bleeding history.
Current guidance
BSG guideline: acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Review adult bleeding assessment and the choice of investigation; discuss how the team identifies the likely source.
On your next shift
Explain which feature determined the urgency of investigation.
Go deeper
Optional material. Advanced resources extend discussion; they do not define independent student practice. Check the publication date and compare clinical advice with current guidance.
GMC: procedure supervision and graduate requirements
Check the competence and supervision level for a procedure; agree what you can practise with your placement supervisor.
How this relates to GMC graduate outcomes and the MLA
These are St Emlyn’s learning connections, not a claim that this page covers every national requirement.
Presentations and conditions: Bleeding per rectum.
Clinical and professional capabilities: Assessment and clinical reasoning; Recognising limits and seeking help.
Practical skills: IV cannulation under direct supervision.
St Emlyn’s interpretation of relevant GMC graduate outcomes and MLA themes; these are summary labels, not official topic codes or a complete curriculum.
Explore the student placement programme
Student practice and graduate expectations
About this resource and its review
A St Emlyn’s guide to learning Emergency Medicine during undergraduate placements. It is not an official medical-school or GMC curriculum. Your medical school’s curriculum and assessment requirements take precedence.
National foundations: GMC Outcomes for Graduates, the practical-skills supplement and the MLA content map applying from September 2026.
Framework checked: 8 October 2026. This is a source check, not clinical sign-off.
Clinical learning outcomes: awaiting named clinical review.
The four learning routes are St Emlyn’s groupings. The six interconnected MLA domains remain part of the official content map.