Under what condition is gastric lavage contraindicated?

Gastric lavage, a procedure to clear the stomach of its contents, is contraindicated in the presence of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. The rationale behind this is that during gastric lavage, there is a risk of causing further bleeding due to the manipulation of already compromised tissue. If there is active bleeding in the GI tract, the procedure could exacerbate the condition, leading to more severe complications.

In cases of GI hemorrhage, prioritizing stabilization and assessing the need for more invasive measures, such as endoscopy or surgical intervention, is critical. Other conditions such as the ingestion of food or the patient's cooperation might affect the effectiveness or safety of the procedure but do not present the same level of risk as active bleeding does. Similarly, the presence of abdominal pain may warrant further investigation but does not inherently contraindicate lavage unless associated with a life-threatening condition like hemorrhage.