What is the most appropriate first step in managing a patient presenting with haematemesis and signs of liver cirrhosis?

In a patient presenting with haematemesis (vomiting blood) and signs of liver cirrhosis, the situation suggests potential complications such as variceal bleeding, which is a common occurrence in cirrhotic patients. The immediate management goal is to stabilize the patient, particularly addressing any hypovolemic shock caused by blood loss.

A blood transfusion is a critical first step in this scenario because it helps to restore the circulating blood volume and improve oxygen delivery to vital organs. This is particularly important in patients with significant blood loss, where rapid volume restoration can be life-saving. Transfusion is essential not only to improve hemoglobin levels but also to help maintain blood pressure and overall hemodynamic stability.

The other options, while they may play roles in the subsequent management of such a patient, do not directly address the immediate need for volume resuscitation and stabilization in the context of active bleeding. Intravenous albumin can be beneficial for volume expansion but is typically reserved for specific situations like preventing or treating complications of cirrhosis rather than acting as the first-line intervention in acute bleeding. Intravenous gelatin and sodium chloride can aid in volume resuscitation but are not as effective or suitable as blood transfusion in a case of