ethanol in blood
Reference interval
- Not applicable.
Principle
The ALC pack is used to quantitatively measure ethyl alcohol in serum, plasma, & supernatants from precipitated whole blood, & to qualitatively detect ethyl alcohol in urine. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, with the simultaneous reduction of nicotinamide- adenine dinucleotide (NAD). An alkaline pH & an aldehyde trapping agent force the reaction to one mole of NADH for each mole of alcohol present. The absorbance due to NADH (and thus the alcohol concentration) is determined using a two-filter (340-383 nm) endpoint technique.
Clinical significance
The ALC pack is used in the DuPont ACA to quantitatively measure ethyl alcohol in serum, plasma, & supernatants from precipitated whole blood. It is used to assess the physiological & psychological effects of ethanol.
80 mg/dL or 0.08% is legal level of intoxication.
Ethanol metabolism: 15-30 mg/dL/hr.
Increases
Specimen
When collecting blood alcohol, use a non-alcohol germicidal solution to cleanse the skin. The specimen tubes should be completely filled. Serum or plasma should be removed from the erythrocytes & either analyzed promptly or stored under refrigeration.
If reusable containers, syringes, & needles are employed, they must not be cleaned or stored with alcohol or other volatile solvents.
Blood specimens should be kept tightly stoppered & cannot be stored for more than 14 days prior to analysis.
More general terms
Additional terms
References
- ↑ ACA IV Discrete Clinical Analyzer Instrument Manual, Volume 1: Operation, DuPont Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1984.
- ↑ ACA IV Discrete Clinical Analyzer Instrument Manual, Volume 3B: Chemistry, DuPont Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1984.
- ↑ Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0090120.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 4 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0090131.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 32 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0091128.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 31 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0091177.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 14 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0091530.jsp