A 45-year-old male with a history of pancreatitis presents with shortness of breath and bright red hematemesis. His skin and eyes are jaundiced. What condition should you suspect?

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The key idea is that signs of liver disease with a sudden, bright red vomit point to bleeding from esophageal varices due to portal hypertension. Long-standing pancreatitis can be alcohol-related, which often leads to cirrhosis and elevated pressure in the portal venous system. That pressure causes veins in the lower esophagus to become dilated (varices). When these fragile veins rupture, they spill bright red blood into the stomach and up the esophagus, producing a brisk hematemesis. Jaundice supports liver dysfunction, tying the symptoms together. The other options don’t fit this combination: esophageal ulcers can bleed but wouldn’t explain the jaundice, and pneumonia or bronchitis wouldn’t cause bright red hematemesis or jaundice.