What is the priority intervention for a patient with active gastrointestinal bleeding?

The priority intervention for a patient experiencing active gastrointestinal bleeding is to start IV fluid resuscitation. This is crucial because active gastrointestinal bleeding can lead to a significant loss of blood, resulting in decreased blood volume and potentially leading to hypovolemic shock. Administering IV fluids helps to restore circulating blood volume, maintain tissue perfusion, and stabilize the patient's condition while further diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are planned.

In cases of active bleeding, ensuring the patient is hemodynamically stable takes precedence over other concerns. Pain relief, while important, is not the immediate priority as managing blood volume is critical for the patient's survival. A thorough bowel assessment is valuable for diagnosis but should occur after stabilization. Scheduling a colonoscopy is an important step in managing the underlying cause of the bleeding but cannot take place until the patient is stable, ensuring they can tolerate the procedure without further risk. Thus, initiating IV fluid resuscitation directly addresses the life-threatening consequences of active gastrointestinal bleeding.