How to test blood alcohol concentration

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Blood alcohol test is used to measure ethanol concentration, mainly used in the case of checking the alcohol concentration of drivers while participating in traffic or patients who are taking measures to abstain from alcohol. .

1. What is a blood alcohol test?

A blood alcohol test is done to measure blood alcohol (ethanol). Alcohol testers are often used in a quick test of a driver's alcohol level. However, its measurement result is not as accurate as measuring blood alcohol concentration. Ethanol is the main ingredient found in alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer. When alcoholic beverages are drunk, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and broken down in the liver. The liver processes only the equivalent of 354ml of beer, 148ml of wine or 44ml of whiskey per hour.
If you drink alcohol faster than the liver can handle, it will cause a feeling of intoxication. These include behavioral changes and impaired judgment. The effects of alcohol can vary from person to person depending on age, weight, food intake before drinking, and a number of other factors.

2. What is a blood alcohol test for?

The blood alcohol test can be used for the following purposes:
Check the blood alcohol concentration of road users: In the US, the blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.08% for people 21 years of age and older. People under the age of 21 who use alcohol are not allowed to participate in traffic. Check blood alcohol concentration in the community. Check the blood alcohol concentration of patients who are assigned to abstain from alcohol during the treatment. Blood alcohol testing in people with alcohol poisoning. The condition can be life-threatening if alcohol levels rise to a very high threshold. Teens have a lower alcohol threshold and are more susceptible to alcohol poisoning than adults. Although blood alcohol levels increase from person to person, drinking should generally be limited to 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men in a 2-hour period.
Young children can get alcohol poisoning from drinking alcohol-containing products such as mouthwash, hand sanitizer and some cold medicines.

3. Why do you need a blood alcohol test?

A blood alcohol test may be ordered if you are suspected of intoxicated driving or have signs of intoxication such as:
Difficulty keeping your balance Slurred speech Slow reflexes Nausea and vomiting Low mood often Reduced judgment Blood alcohol testing is also indicated in cases of suspected alcohol poisoning with the following symptoms:
Ambiguity Irregular breathing Convulsions Low body temperature

4. What happens in a blood alcohol test?

The nurse will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. After enough blood is collected, the blood will be poured into a test tube and taken to a laboratory for analysis. When the needle is inserted, you may feel slight pain. The blood draw usually takes less than 5 minutes.

5. What to prepare before taking a blood alcohol test?

You do not need special preparation for the blood alcohol test.

6. What are the risks while doing a blood alcohol test?

There are very few risks with a blood test. You may experience mild pain or bruising at the site of the blood draw, but most symptoms will go away quickly.

7. What does the blood alcohol test result mean?

Blood alcohol test results can be provided in a variety of ways, including blood alcohol percentage (BAC) with the following description:
Sober: 0% BAC Drunk in range allowed: 0.08% BAC Very poor: 0.8 – 0.4% BAC. At this concentration, you will have difficulty walking and speaking. In addition, you may experience confusion, nausea, and drowsiness. Risk of serious complications: Above 40% of BAC, this alcohol level can increase the risk of coma or death. The timing of the test can affect the accuracy of the results. A blood alcohol test is only accurate for 6-12 hours after your last drink.
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Reference source: medlineplus.gov