What is the medical term for vomiting blood?

Hematemesis is the medical term specifically used to describe the act of vomiting blood. This term is derived from the Greek words "haima," meaning blood, and "emesis," which refers to vomiting. When a patient presents with hematemesis, it indicates that there is blood in the vomit, which can be an alarming symptom that may require urgent medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause, such as gastrointestinal bleeding or severe ulcers.

Understanding this term is vital for medical professionals and scribes, as it helps in accurately documenting a patient's symptoms and guiding clinical decision-making. The other terms, while related to gastrointestinal issues, do not specifically refer to vomiting blood. Emesis is a general term for vomiting but does not specify the nature of the vomit. Nausea refers to the sensation of needing to vomit, and gastroenteritis describes an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which does not directly imply the presence of blood in vomit.