What does hemorrhage mean?

• A. Bleeding or excessive bleeding.
• B. Inflammation of the liver.
• C. A rapid heart rate.
• D. Blockage of a blood vessel.

Answer: (A)

Hemorrhage means bleeding, especially sudden or excessive bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel. This directly defines the term, making it the best answer. Inflammation of the liver describes hepatitis, not bleeding. A rapid heart rate is tachycardia, a different physiologic change. Blockage of a blood vessel refers to occlusion or embolism, which stops flow rather than describes bleeding from vessels. In practice, hemorrhage can be external or internal and can range from mild to life-threatening.