ABST Alcohol Effects on the Body — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How does alcohol affect the central nervous system?
- It acts as a depressant, slowing brain function, reaction time, and motor coordination (Correct answer)
- It acts as a stimulant, increasing alertness and focus
- It has no measurable effect on brain function
- It only affects the peripheral nervous system
Correct 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.
Question 2: What factors affect how quickly a person becomes intoxicated?
- Body weight, gender, food intake, drinking pace, and individual tolerance (Correct answer)
- Only the type of alcohol consumed
- Only the person's age
- Only whether they ate before drinking
Correct 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.
Question 3: What is alcohol poisoning and what are its symptoms?
- A life-threatening condition caused by drinking large amounts of alcohol quickly, with symptoms including vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, and unconsciousness (Correct answer)
- A mild headache after drinking too much
- An allergic reaction to certain types of alcohol
- Nausea that occurs only with cheap alcohol
Correct 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.
Question 4: How does the body eliminate alcohol?
- Primarily through liver metabolism at a relatively constant rate, with small amounts through breath, sweat, and urine (Correct answer)
- Entirely through the kidneys
- Only through perspiration and breathing
- Through the digestive system within minutes
Correct 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.
Question 5: Can coffee, cold showers, or exercise sober up an intoxicated person?
- No, only time allows the liver to metabolize alcohol; these methods do not reduce BAC (Correct answer)
- Yes, coffee counteracts alcohol's effects
- Yes, cold showers speed up alcohol metabolism
- Yes, exercise burns off alcohol faster
Correct 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.
Question 6: At what BAC level do most people begin to show measurable impairment in judgment and coordination?
- 0.02%-0.03% (Correct answer)
- 0.08%
- 0.15%
- 0.01%
Correct 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.
ABST Alcohol Effects on the Body
How does alcohol affect the central nervous system?