Learn the ethanol test

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Phan Ngoc Toan - Resuscitation - Emergency Doctor - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
The ethanol alcohol test is commonly used to measure blood alcohol levels. Blood alcohol levels will peak about an hour after drinking, but certain foods in the stomach can increase the time it takes for blood alcohol measurements to reach peak.

1. What is Ethanol?

Ethanol is a CNS depressant found in alcoholic beverages. When the body is excessively inhibited by ethanol, it can cause coma and death when the blood alcohol concentration reaches the threshold of 300mg/dL.
Ethanol is derived from the fermentation of carbohydrates with yeast, it is essentially a transparent and volatile colorless liquid, with a pungent taste and characteristic odor, formed at a boiling point of 78.5 degrees C, melting point 114.1 degrees Celsius and. Ethanol has the structural formula C2H5OH and density: d=0.789 g/mL.
After being taken orally, about 20% of ethanol is absorbed in the stomach and 80% is absorbed in the small intestine. When entering the liver, 90% of ethanol will be metabolized and a small part is excreted unchanged through breathing, sweat, and urine. Ethanol is toxic to almost every organ system in the human body, some symptoms of alcohol poisoning are related to the effects of the acetaldehyde metabolite. Therefore, alcohol abuse has the ability to damage organs in the body, in the long run will seriously affect health.

2. When is the ethanol test indicated?

The ethanol test is usually indicated in the following cases:
To check the blood alcohol concentration of road users in traffic Check for alcohol in a person suspected of being intoxicated with symptoms of alcohol poisoning, find the cause. cause of mental changes, such as confusion, coma, or confusion.

3. Perform ethanol alcohol test

The process of performing the ethanol test is very simple, will not require much preparation, the steps include:
Step 1: Disinfect the site of venipuncture with an antiseptic solution without Ether, alcohol..L
Step 2: Take 3ml of venous blood into a tube without anticoagulant or tube with anticoagulants of Li-Heparin and EDTA, make sure to stop and seal the tube.
Step 3: Transfer blood for ethanol testing to the laboratory within 30 minutes.
Read the results of the ethanol test:
Ethanol concentration 10.9 - 21.7 mmol/l: Facial flushing, vomiting, slow reflexes, decreased sensitivity. Ethanol concentration > 21.7 mmol/l: Patients present with CNS depression, slow reaction, unsteadiness, loss of consciousness, vomiting, visual disturbances, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, decreased reaction radiation, respiratory failure. Ethanol concentrations > 86.8 mmol/l: May be life-threatening.

4. Factors causing errors for test results

Ethanol test results will not be affected by hemolysis, yellow serum. However, the results may be skewed when patients take some drugs simultaneously such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, barbiturates, diazepam, isoniazid, meprobamate, opiates... drinkers, especially those with alcoholic habits. In order to protect their own health, each person should actively give up this bad habit, if in case it is necessary to drink, drink alcohol properly to minimize the harmful effects of alcohol on your health. Dear.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a professional quality hospital with a team of leading medical professionals, a system of modern technological equipment, comprehensive and professional medical examination, consulting and treatment services. ; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.

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