Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with a patient experiencing lower GI bleeding?

In the context of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, it’s crucial to understand the symptoms that are typically associated with this condition. Lower GI bleeding usually refers to bleeding from the colon or rectum, and common symptoms can include abdominal pain, black, tarry stools (melena), and the presence of fresh blood in the stool.

Abdominal pain can occur due to various reasons, such as the underlying cause of the bleeding (e.g., diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, or cancer). Black, tarry stools are specifically associated with upper GI bleeding—this occurs when blood is digested as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, typically indicating a source higher than the lower GI tract. However, melena can actually refer to dark, tarry stools, but in the case of lower GI disorders, fresh red blood in the stool is more common.

Intermittent blindness, on the other hand, is not a symptom related to lower GI bleeding. This condition is generally associated with issues affecting the eyes or neurological problems, rather than a direct gastrointestinal issue. Therefore, since intermittent blindness does not fit within the scope of symptoms commonly associated with lower GI bleeding, it is identified as the correct choice for the question.