Breath alcohol test

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Breath alcohol test

Overview

Risks

Results

Breath alcohol test

Definition:

A breath alcohol test roughlydetermines how much alcohol is in your blood bymeasuring the amount ofalcohol that is the air you breathe out (exhale).

Alternative Names:
Alcohol test - breath
How the test is performed:

There are various brands of breath alcohol tests. Each one uses adifferent method to test the level of alcohol in the breath. The machine may be electronic or manual.

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One common manual tester requires you to blow up aballoon in one continuous breath until it is full, then release the air intoa glass tube. The tube is filled with bands of yellow crystals. The color changesdepending on the alcohol content. Count the bands in the tube that have changed from yellow to green. Carefully read the instructions before using the test to make sure you get an accurate result.

If an electronic alcohol meter is used, follow the instructions that come with the meter.

How to prepare for the test:

Wait 15 minutes after drinking an alcoholic beverage and 1 minute after smoking before starting the test.

How the test will feel:

There is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed:

When you drink alcohol, the amount of alcohol in your blood goes up. This is called your blood-alcohol level.

When theamount of alcohol in the blood reaches 0.02 - 0.03%, you may feel a relaxing "high."

When that percentage reaches 0.05- 0.10%, you have reduced muscular coordination, a longer reaction time, and impaired judgment.

Drivingdrunk is dangerous.A person with alcohol levels of0.08% and above is considered legally drunk in most states. (Some states have lower levels than others.)

The alcohol content of exhaled air accurately reflects the alcohol content of the blood.

References:

Marx J. Rosen?s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5^th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Inc.; 2002.