A woman who weighs approximately 180 pounds has two “double” mixed drinks in one hour. Which of the following is CORRECT?
A• She is impaired
B• She is not intoxicated.
C• She is likely intoxicated.
D. She is possibly impaired.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
C. She is likely intoxicated.
Explanation
Understanding how alcohol affects the body is essential for determining levels of intoxication. Alcohol absorption varies depending on factors like body weight, gender, the amount of alcohol consumed, and the rate of drinking. In this case, the woman weighs approximately 180 pounds and consumed two “double” mixed drinks within one hour, which increases the likelihood that she is intoxicated.
Each “standard” drink typically contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. A “double” drink has twice that amount, approximately 28 grams of pure alcohol per drink. Therefore, consuming two “double” drinks within one hour means she ingested the equivalent of four standard drinks, or about 56 grams of alcohol.
For a woman weighing 180 pounds, consuming this amount of alcohol in such a short time can significantly raise her blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Although BAC can vary slightly between individuals, drinking four standard drinks within an hour can bring her BAC to around 0.08% or higher. In most places, a BAC of 0.08% or above is considered legally intoxicated. At this level, alcohol’s effects are potent, affecting both physical and cognitive abilities. She may experience impaired motor coordination, delayed reaction times, and decreased judgment, all of which are common signs of intoxication.
The options presented reflect different levels of impairment:
- Option A (Impaired) would be accurate if she had a lower BAC, below the legal intoxication threshold.
- Option B (Not Intoxicated) would apply if she consumed far less alcohol.
- Option D (Possibly Impaired) may apply if her BAC was under the legal limit but still near impairment levels.
Since she likely has a BAC at or above the legal limit for intoxication, Option C (She is likely intoxicated) is correct.