Question

a typical glass of wine contains about 18 grams of alcohol. consider a 119-pound woman, with approximately 4 liters (4000 milliliters) of blood, who drinks two glasses of wine. complete parts (a) and (b) below.
a. if all the alcohol were immediately absorbed into her bloodstream, what would her blood alcohol content be?
(\frac{g}{100 \text{ml}}) (round to two decimal places as needed.)
note that a blood alcohol content (bac) of 0.08g/100ml is the legal driving limit in the u.s.a. bac at or above 0.4g/100ml usually leads to coma or death. explain why it is fortunate that, in reality, the alcohol is not absorbed immediately. choose the correct answer below
a. it is fortunate that alcohol is not absorbed immediately because although this blood alcohol content is below the legal limit, it will impair brain function.
b. it is fortunate because any amount of alcohol consumption can impair brain function.
c. it is fortunate that alcohol is not absorbed immediately because this is a lethal concentration of alcohol and is far beyond the legal limit.
d. it is fortunate that alcohol is not absorbed immediately because this blood alcohol content is above the legal limit for driving and is a dangerous level of intoxication.
b. again assume all the alcohol is absorbed immediately, but now assume her body eliminates the alcohol (through metabolism) at a rate of 9 grams per hour. what is her blood alcohol content 3 hours after drinking the wine?
(\frac{g}{100 \text{ml}}) (round to two decimal places as needed.)

Explanation:

Part (a)

Step 1: Calculate total alcohol consumed

A glass of wine has 18 grams of alcohol, and she drinks 2 glasses. So total alcohol \( = 18\times2 = 36 \) grams.

Step 2: Calculate BAC

Blood volume is 4000 milliliters. BAC is (total alcohol) / (blood volume) (100 mL / 100 mL) to get per 100 mL. So \( \frac{36}{4000}\times100=\frac{3600}{4000} = 0.9 \) g/100 mL? Wait, no, wait: Wait, 4000 mL blood. So per 100 mL, it's \( \frac{36\ \text{g}}{4000\ \text{mL}}\times100\ \text{mL}=\frac{36\times100}{4000}=\frac{3600}{4000}=0.9 \)? Wait, no, that can't be. Wait, 4 liters is 4000 mL. So total alcohol is 36 grams. So BAC is (36 g) / (4000 mL) 100 mL/100 mL. So \( \frac{36}{4000}\times100=\frac{3600}{4000}=0.9 \) g/100 mL? But the legal limit is 0.08. Wait, maybe I miscalculated. Wait, 18 grams per glass, two glasses: 36 grams. Blood volume 4000 mL. So BAC is (36 g) / (4000 mL) * 100 mL. So \( \frac{36\times100}{4000}=\frac{3600}{4000}=0.9 \) g/100 mL. Then for the multiple choice: the BAC here is 0.9 g/100 mL, which is far above 0.4 (lethal) and 0.08 (legal). So option C says "lethal concentration... far beyond legal limit". Wait, but 0.9 is above 0.4 (lethal), so it's a lethal concentration. So option C is correct? Wait, but let's check the options again. Option C: "It is fortunate that alcohol is not absorbed immediately because this is a lethal concentration of alcohol and is far beyond the legal limit." Option D: "above the legal limit for driving and is a dangerous level of intoxication." Wait, 0.9 is way above 0.4 (lethal), so it's lethal. So option C is correct? Wait, maybe my calculation is wrong. Wait, 18 grams per glass, two glasses: 36 grams. Blood volume 4 liters = 4000 mL. So BAC is (36 g) / (4000 mL) = 0.009 g/mL. To convert to g/100 mL, multiply by 100: 0.9 g/100 mL. Yes. So the BAC is 0.9 g/100 mL, which is above 0.4 (lethal) and 0.08 (legal). So option C says it's a lethal concentration, which is correct. So the answer for the multiple choice is C. And the BAC is 0.90 g/100 mL (rounded to two decimal places).

Step 3: Multiple Choice Explanation

The calculated BAC is 0.90 g/100 mL, which is above 0.4 g/100 mL (lethal) and 0.08 g/100 mL (legal limit). So it's a lethal concentration, so option C is correct.

Step 1: Calculate alcohol remaining after 3 hours

Elimination rate is 9 grams per hour. After 3 hours, alcohol eliminated \( = 9\times3 = 27 \) grams. Total alcohol initially: 36 grams. So remaining alcohol \( = 36 - 27 = 9 \) grams.

Step 2: Calculate BAC with remaining alcohol

Blood volume is 4000 mL. BAC is \( \frac{9\ \text{g}}{4000\ \text{mL}}\times100\ \text{mL}=\frac{900}{4000}=0.225 \approx 0.23 \) g/100 mL (rounded to two decimal places).

Answer:

(a):

• BAC: \( \boxed{0.90} \) g/100 mL
• Multiple Choice: C. It is fortunate that alcohol is not absorbed immediately because this is a lethal concentration of alcohol and is far beyond the legal limit.

Part (b)