California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Alcohol and DrugsHard
A driver consumes two 12-ounce beers (each 5% alcohol by volume) within one hour. Which of the following factors would most likely lead to a higher Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for this individual compared to another person who consumed the same amount of alcohol?
- AHaving a lower body weight and less body water.
- BHaving eaten a large, fatty meal before drinking.
- CConsuming the alcohol over a longer period of time.
- DBeing a male with a higher body weight.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Having a lower body weight and less body water.
BAC is significantly influenced by body weight and body water content. A person with lower body weight and less body water will have the same amount of alcohol concentrated in a smaller volume, leading to a higher BAC. Alcohol is diluted more in larger bodies with more water.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. A large, fatty meal slows alcohol absorption, which would generally lead to a lower *peak* BAC or a slower rise, not a higher BAC for the same amount consumed.
- C. Consuming alcohol over a longer period allows the liver more time to metabolize the alcohol, resulting in a lower BAC over time, not a higher one.
- D. Higher body weight and being male generally mean more body water, which dilutes alcohol more effectively, leading to a lower BAC for the same amount of alcohol.
Factors Affecting BAC
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is influenced by several individual factors, including body weight, gender, amount of food consumed, rate of consumption, and individual metabolism.
- Lower body weight generally means higher BAC.
- Less body water (common in females, lower weight individuals) means higher BAC.
- Food in the stomach slows absorption, lowering peak BAC.
- Faster consumption rate leads to higher BAC.
Memory trick: BAC levels are a balance of your body, what you eat, and how fast you drink.