The gastrointestinal emergencies chapter explores a number of emergency situations that can occur with the gastrointestinal tract. These situations can occur quickly and be life-threatening. Nursing care is essential in emergency situations, for example, when there is bleeding in the upper portion of the gut, that is, haematemesis, such as from varices. Treatment can be performed via endoscopy or surgery, for example. Acute abdominal pain may be the result of a perforation or an obstruction within the bowel. A perforation of the bowel might result in peritonitis. These emergencies are explored with consideration of symptoms, causes, investigations, and treatment options. Succinct explanation of gastrointestinal emergencies within this chapter can be used within clinical practice by the nurse.