Alcohol

Question 1

Types of Alcohol

Answer 1

Ethanol
Methanol
Isopropanol
Ethylene glycol

Question 2

Routes of administration

Answer 2

Topical
Inhalation
Intravenous injection
Oral ingestion

Question 3

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Answer 3

Absorption
Distribution
Elimination in the body

Question 4

Factors affecting absorption

Answer 4

Alcohol concentration of the ingested beverage
Physiology
Presence of food in the stomach

Question 5

Alcohol concentration of the ingested beverage

Answer 5

Beverages > 30% alc will irritate the gastric mucosa and increase mucous production

Question 6

Physiology

Answer 6

Changes in blood supply to GI tract

Changes in motility will affect speed with which ethanol enters the small intestine

Question 7

Presence of food in the stomach

Answer 7

Food in the stomach will prolong gastric emptying time, resulting in a lower, delayed peak blood alcohol concentration

Question 8

Distribution

Answer 8

Alcohol = hydrophilic and will distribute into fluid and tissues according to water content

Question 9

Total body weight (TBW) dependent on

Answer 9

Age
Sex
Body Weight

Question 10

Alcohol metabolism

Answer 10

5-10% ethanol is excreted
Bio transformation occurs in liver
Commences as soon as ethanol is absorbed
Alcohol dehydrogenase is primary enzyme

Question 11

Elimination

Answer 11

Zero order kinetics
Ranges 10-20 mg/100mL
Average rate of elimination is 15mg/100mL/hour
Unaffected by coffee, air, showering

Question 12

Fructose can

Answer 12

Increase elimination rate of alcohol

Question 13

Effects of alcohol on the body

Answer 13

Vasodilatation
Disinhibition
CNS Depressant

Question 14

Vasodilatation

Answer 14

Creates feeling of warmth when alcoholic beverages are consumed

Question 15

Disinhibition

Answer 15

Responsible for the “stimulant” effects of alcohol

Question 16

CNS Depressant

Answer 16

Non selective depression of brain and spinal cord

Effects occur on a continuum -with increased BAC, increased effects occur

Question 17

Alcohol intoxication is major risk factor of

Answer 17

Positional asphyxiation

Question 18

Alcohol in the blood

Answer 18

Plasma and serum are the “watery” components of whole blood

*both have higher alcohol content than whole blood

Question 19

Alcohol in urine

Answer 19

Alcohol will pass from the blood into the urine as the blood is filtered through the kidneys

Question 20

Alcohol in breath

Answer 20

Alcohol is volatile- at physiological temperatures alcohol will diffuse from the blood into the alveolar air of the lung and into the breath

Question 21

Effects of alcohol and driving

Answer 21

The following are impaired at low BAC:
Judgement 
Ability to divide attention
Choice reaction time
Tracking
Vision

Question 22

Field sobriety tests

Answer 22

Nystagmus -jerking of eyes as they move to the side
Walk and turn
One leg stand

Question 23

Analysis for blood alcohol

Answer 23

GC testing