Physiology- Ethanol Flashcards
Ethanol absorption when food is present
90% absorbed in one hour
Remaining 10% absorbed in following 30 min
Where does most absorption of ethanol occur?
Small intestine- moves across intestinal wall, picked up by blood stream and distributed everywhere
Where is ethanol distributed?
All tissues, except adipose, because ethanol is lipophobic
Why does ethanol easily cross the blood brain barrier?
Because it is a small molecule
How should you modify your weight using a BAC card if you are overweight?
Use ideal weight since ethanol does not absorb into adipose tissue
BAC absorption without food present
80% absorbed in 15 min
Remaining 20% absorbed in following 45 min
What is the primary enzyme in the liver that breaks down ethanol?
Alcohol dehydrogenase
What is ethanol broken down into?
Acetaldehyde (thought to be what causes a hangover)
How much ethanol can an average adult male metabolize per hour?
7-10 grams ethanol/hr
How can you slow absorption even further?
By eating food with higher fat content
What is the difference between how much ethanol is absorbed and how much is metabolized?
BAC
What will affect normal absorption or elimination values?
GI or liver pathology, especially having stomach stapled
What to know when estimating BAC
Gender Weight Drinking history Eating history -what was consumed 3 hours before through entire time of drinking
Widmark’s constant
.68 males
.55 females
Because males typically have higher body water content and females typically have higher % adipose tissue
Why is widmarks constant different for males and females?
Because males typically have higher body water content and females typically have higher % adipose tissue
