This article was reviewed and fact-checked by our Editorial Team. What is EtOH? EtOH may be used as a shorthand abbreviation, but it is also a way to describe the molecular formula of ethanol, C2H5OH, sometimes written as C2H6O. Breaking down the two components of EtOH: Et, short for Ethyl, indicates the presence of two carbon atoms in the structure (C2); all two-carbon compounds start with the prefix "eth", e.g. ethyl bromide OH represents the hydroxyl group or oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom CONTENT What is Ethanol? Nursing Charts Effects of Alcohol Symptoms of Alcohol Alcohol Deaths Clinical Uses Summary All alcohol compounds chemically have both these carbon atoms and these hydroxyl groups, hence the EtOH. There are several types of alcohols, primary, secondary and tertiary, distinguished by the number of carbons in the structure and how they are bonded to the hydroxyl group. What is Ethanol? Ethanol is a clear flammable liquid that is the primary alcohol present in alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and spirits. The CDC describes the smell of alcohol as vinous and pungent(1). Ethanol is created through the process of fermentation of sugars by small single-celled microorganisms called yeast. In simple terms, yeast fermentation is the metabolism of carbohydrates by yeast, converting sugars into energy, and producing ethanol as a byproduct. Synonyms for Ethanol (EtOH) Some of the other common synonyms for ethanol include the following: Ethyl alcohol Grain alcohol Drinking alcohol Denatured ethanol Ethyl hydrate Outside of a medical setting, ethanol may simply be referred to as alcohol. However, ethanol is more precisely one of several primary types of alcohol. The official chemical name as designated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is ethanol not ethyl alcohol. EtOH on Nursing Charts As pointed out by some of our experienced nurses in the discussion succeeding this article, a patient with EtOH or ETOH written in their medical history could be indicative that the patient suffers from alcoholism or alcohol dependency. Alternatively, EtOH in patient notes could be describing that the patient is currently intoxicated, or believed to be intoxicated and not necessarily alcohol dependent or a habitual user. In a similar manner, you may also see notes such as: Positive EtOH EtOH positive or EtOH on board All of these likely indicate the patient is currently under the influence of alcohol. EtOH and the fully capitalized version, ETOH, are often used interchangeably in nursing. Effects of Alcohol Consumption The detrimental impact of alcohol on the brain, heart, pancreas, liver and other body organs has been widely known and studied(2). While there are some potential health benefits of moderate alcohol intake, research is unclear as to whether the benefits of moderate drinking outweigh the risks(3). Consistent alcohol consumption, but specifically excessive drinking—including heavy drinking and/or binge drinking—is a primary cause(4) of over 30 serious medical conditions and a contributing factor to many more. Heavy drinking(5) is defined by the CDC as 8 or more drinks per week for a woman or 15 or more drinks per week for a man. Even though roughly 25% of American adults(6) drink excessively, 90% of these excessive drinkers do not meet the criteria for alcohol dependency(7). Symptoms and Signs of Alcohol Dependency Roughly 10% of excessive drinkers have a physiologic dependence on alcohol due to their chronic intake and misuse of alcohol. The physiologic dependence results in physical symptoms, especially during withdrawal period(8). These symptoms include, but are not limited to: Shakiness and tremors, especially of the extremities Nausea and vomiting Seizures Hallucinations, and delirium tremens(9) Tachycardia(10) and elevated blood pressure Alcohol Deaths From 2015-2019 more than 140,000 people die on average each year(11), from excessive alcohol use (U.S. only). Of those deaths, approximately 60% were due to chronic causes with the remaining 40% considered acute. Some of the leading causes of alcohol-attributed death include (not exhaustive)(12): Chronic Alcoholic liver disease Colorectal cancer Coronary heart disease Hypertension Liver cancer Liver cirrhosis Stroke Acute Automobile crashes Drowning Fall injuries attributed to alcohol Nurses must always be on the lookout for signs of alcohol dependence and alcohol misuse given the relatively widespread presence of emergencies related to alcohol consumption. Nursing and Clinical Uses for EtOH Ethanol is an effective disinfectant, according to the CDC, used or potentially used to disinfect the following(13): Thermometers Scissors Stethoscopes Small surfaces via alcohol towelettes Equipment such as ultrasound instruments, ventilators, etc. Ethanol is generally considered to be superior to isopropyl alcohol(14), also known as rubbing alcohol. However, neither isopropyl nor ethanol are recommended for sterilizing surgical materials, as wound infections have been documented. Surgical sterilization naturally requires the utmost care and thus the FDA's cleared list of sterilants includes chemicals such as peracetic acid and glutaraldehyde(15). Summary EtOH, ETOH, or simply alcohol, is one of the most common chemicals you'll come across in your nursing career, especially as it relates to patient conditions. It's important to ensure you're prepared to provide proper clinical care for those dealing with EtOH-related conditions. 3 Down Vote Up Vote × About allnurses (Editorial Team / Admin) Our mission is to Empower, Unite, and Advance our members by providing a community where they can grow and succeed in their career. 105 Articles 406 Posts Share this post Share on other sites