Alcohol Physiology & Blood Alcohol Content Flashcards

At a BAC of 0.08%, which cognitive function is MOST likely to be impaired?

Answer: Judgment and self-control

At 0.08% BAC, judgment, reasoning, and self-control are significantly impaired, which is why this is the legal driving limit in most U.S. states.

Which of the following individuals would generally reach a higher BAC after consuming the same amount of alcohol?

Answer: A 120 lb woman

A lighter person with less body water and typically less alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme will reach a higher BAC from the same amount of alcohol.

Why do women generally reach higher BAC levels than men of the same weight after consuming equal amounts of alcohol?

Answer: Women have less body water and lower levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes in the stomach

Women typically have a higher body fat percentage (less water volume to dilute alcohol) and lower gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity, resulting in higher BAC.

What is the approximate BAC level at which a person is considered legally impaired for driving in most U.S. states?

Answer: 0.08%

0.08% BAC is the legal per se limit for driving under the influence (DUI) in all 50 U.S. states for adults 21 and over.

A customer claims they feel fine and want another drink even though they appear visibly intoxicated. What does this indicate about their perception of their own BAC?

Answer: Alcohol impairs the judgment needed for accurate self-assessment of intoxication

Alcohol impairs the very cognitive functions needed for self-assessment, so intoxicated individuals commonly underestimate their level of impairment.

Which action will effectively lower a person's BAC?

Answer: Waiting for the liver to metabolize the alcohol

Only time allows the liver to metabolize alcohol and lower BAC; coffee, food, exercise, and other remedies do not speed up this process.

At approximately what BAC level does the risk of respiratory depression and potentially fatal alcohol poisoning become significant?

Answer: 0.40% and above

BAC levels of 0.40% and above can suppress the central nervous system to the point of respiratory failure and death.