Blood alcohol

Published

A question I was actually thinking was to silly to ask a coworker so I thought I'd ask here..

When we get results for blood alcohol, it's an actual number, not a concentration. How is one determined intoxicated or sober? I just know when Pts come in and smell like alcohol, the result is typically over 250. Family members always ask in terms of BAC and I have no idea.

Specializes in ER, progressive care.
I've seen a 609! In a female patient, no less! And she wasn't totally out, either. I was amazed.

wow... :wideyed: the highest I have seen was 500 and the patient was still with it...obviously drunk, but with it. I was very surprised.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I have seen a 816 once.....chronic, chronic alcoholic he was obtunded but would withdraw to pain and moan...I was amazed.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I had a 624, unconscious, rolled down an concrete embankment from sleeping under an overpass. Totally limp, did the CT's etc. 4 hours later, up walking, no slur, off to jail for "protective custody". (More than 15 years ago, the jail won't do that any more.)

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
I had a 624 unconscious, rolled down an concrete embankment from sleeping under an overpass. Totally limp, did the CT's etc. 4 hours later, up walking, no slur, off to jail for "protective custody". (More than 15 years ago, the jail won't do that any more.)[/quote']

So he's function in the 540's! Wow!

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