Alcohol Physiology & Blood Alcohol Content Flashcards

Approximately what percentage of consumed alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine?

Answer: 80%

About 80% of alcohol is absorbed through the small intestine, while roughly 20% is absorbed through the stomach lining.

Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the human body?

Answer: Liver

The liver is the primary organ that metabolizes alcohol, processing approximately one standard drink per hour.

On average, the liver can metabolize approximately how much alcohol per hour?

Answer: One standard drink

The average liver metabolizes approximately one standard drink per hour, regardless of body weight or other factors.

A standard drink in the United States contains approximately how many grams of pure alcohol?

Answer: 14 grams

A U.S. standard drink contains 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure ethanol, equivalent across beer, wine, and spirits.

Which of the following factors MOST significantly slows alcohol absorption into the bloodstream?

Answer: Having food in the stomach

Food in the stomach slows gastric emptying, reducing the rate at which alcohol passes to the small intestine and enters the bloodstream.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is measured as:

Answer: Grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood

BAC is expressed as grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters (deciliter) of blood, e.g., 0.08 means 0.08g per 100mL.

Which statement about carbonated alcoholic beverages is accurate regarding absorption?

Answer: Carbonation speeds up alcohol absorption by relaxing the pyloric valve

Carbonation can speed alcohol absorption because carbon dioxide relaxes the pyloric valve, allowing alcohol to move more rapidly into the small intestine.