Reasons why BAC would continue to go up hours after admission

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Specializes in Psychiatric- Detox and ECT.

I'm just wondering why someone's BAC would continue to go up and up and up upon recheck even 5 hours after admission onto the unit. The RN I'm working with says that with it being 5 hours since admit the BAC should not still be going up.

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Some gastric absorption delay?

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

That little bottle of vodka in the backpack under the bed?

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.
That little bottle of vodka in the backpack under the bed?

Or that. :-D

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Specializes in Psychiatric- Detox and ECT.

Possible but we searched the patient and they cane in with no belongings.

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Then I think you have some underlying pathology. Some form of delayed gastric absorption, delayed alcohol metabolism, something.

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Specializes in Psychiatric- Detox and ECT.

Ok. Thanks for the response!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Either they are sneaking ETOH, they had a load of it immediately before they checked in, and/or their body is slow in processing it for whatever reason.

I've seen spikes in an hour or two post-admission, but not five hours later. In most cases it shouldn't be going up that late after the last drink...that's not to say it can't happen though.

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Liver disease?

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Specializes in Psychiatric- Detox and ECT.

Came in at .147 next check .159 after five hours it was a .195- had patient drink a lot of water and it came down to .107 after 3 glasses of water. Does dehydration play a role in it?

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Specializes in Psychiatric- Detox and ECT.

3 16oz glasses

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

How is the patient? Have you unriddled the riddle?

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