Alcohol Effects on the Body Flashcards
6 cards from real ABST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Alcohol Effects on the Body flashcards as text
How does alcohol affect the central nervous system?
Answer: It acts as a depressant, slowing brain function, reaction time, and motor coordination
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that inhibits neurotransmitter activity, progressively impairing judgment, coordination, speech, and vital functions as BAC increases.
What factors affect how quickly a person becomes intoxicated?
Answer: Body weight, gender, food intake, drinking pace, and individual tolerance
Multiple factors influence intoxication rate including body weight and composition, biological sex (women generally have less water content), food in the stomach, drinking speed, medications, and individual tolerance.
What is alcohol poisoning and what are its symptoms?
Answer: A life-threatening condition caused by drinking large amounts of alcohol quickly, with symptoms including vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, and unconsciousness
Alcohol poisoning occurs when high BAC levels suppress vital functions. Symptoms include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow/irregular breathing, hypothermia, and unconsciousness. It requires immediate emergency medical attention.
How does the body eliminate alcohol?
Answer: Primarily through liver metabolism at a relatively constant rate, with small amounts through breath, sweat, and urine
The liver metabolizes approximately 90-95% of consumed alcohol using the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, at a rate of about one standard drink per hour. The remaining 5-10% exits through breath, urine, and sweat.
Can coffee, cold showers, or exercise sober up an intoxicated person?
Answer: No, only time allows the liver to metabolize alcohol; these methods do not reduce BAC
None of these popular remedies speed up alcohol metabolism. Only time allows the liver to process alcohol at its fixed rate. Coffee may make someone feel more alert but does not reduce impairment.
At what BAC level do most people begin to show measurable impairment in judgment and coordination?
Answer: 0.02%-0.03%
Studies show measurable impairment in visual function, divided attention, and judgment beginning as low as 0.02% BAC. By 0.05%, coordination and reaction time are significantly affected, well before the 0.08% legal limit.