Definition of "melena" []

• A condition marked by black, tarry stool or vomit composed largely of blood that has been acted on by gastric juices, resulting from a hemorrhage along the digestive tract. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "I call up the GI doc at 2AM for an uninsured encephalopathic liver failure patient with melena, and I'm going to get an earful. 100% of the time."
• "There was no nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss, black/tarry stools, melena or bright red rectal bleeding."
• "If needed: diazepam (PO): 15 mg/d divided in 3 doses for a brief period (5-10 days) - If severe pain continues, exclude perforation: examine abdomen for peritonism, PR exam for rectal blood (melena on glove), keep under observation, surgical referral if necessary."