Which symptom is typically NOT associated with hematemesis?

Hematemesis, the vomiting of blood, often presents with specific symptoms directly related to the gastrointestinal bleeding. The presence of bright red blood in vomit indicates fresh bleeding, typically from the upper gastrointestinal tract, and is a classic sign of hematemesis. Alternatively, dark, coffee ground appearance of vomit suggests that the blood has been partially digested, which can occur with bleeding that has been present for some time, lending further support to the association of this symptom with hematemesis.

Abdominal distension, while it may occur in various gastrointestinal conditions, is not a direct symptom of hematemesis. It can arise from other issues such as obstruction, fluid accumulation, or various other causes unrelated to the act of vomiting blood. Blood in the stool, known as hematochezia, indicates lower gastrointestinal bleeding and is distinctly different from hematemesis.

Thus, abdominal distension is correctly identified as the symptom not typically associated with hematemesis, as it does not specifically signal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract where hematemesis originates.