Alcohol's Effects on the Body and BAC Flashcards

Which of the following is considered a standard drink containing approximately 0.6 oz of pure alcohol?

Answer: 12 oz of beer at 5% ABV

A standard drink is 12 oz of regular beer (5% ABV), containing about 0.6 oz of pure alcohol.

How does food consumption affect alcohol absorption into the bloodstream?

Answer: It slows absorption

Food in the stomach slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, delaying and reducing peak intoxication.

Why do women typically reach a higher BAC than men of equal weight after drinking the same amount of alcohol?

Answer: Women have a higher body fat ratio and less alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme

Women typically have a higher BAC than men of equal weight because they have a higher body fat ratio and produce less alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme.

A patron has a high alcohol tolerance and shows few visible signs of impairment — what does this mean for their actual BAC?

Answer: Their BAC is still elevated even though they appear sober

Tolerance means a person can consume more alcohol without showing obvious signs, but their BAC is still elevated and they are legally impaired.

Which of the following actions can speed up the metabolism of alcohol in the body?

Answer: None of the above

Nothing — not coffee, exercise, or food — speeds up the liver's fixed rate of metabolizing alcohol; only time does.

What effect does carbonation in alcoholic beverages have on alcohol absorption?

Answer: It speeds up absorption into the bloodstream

Carbonation speeds up alcohol absorption because it causes the pyloric valve to open more quickly, allowing alcohol into the small intestine faster.