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HelpOrder Code Alcohol Ethanol Level
Additional Codes
Epic Order ID LAB2200
Sub activity Type
Chemistry
Collection tube (preferred)
Green Li PST
Specimen Type
Plasma/Serum
Minimum Volume
0.6ml
Stability
14 days at 2-8° C
Transport temperature
Ambient
Transport Container
Plasma Separator Tube(PST) or Serum Separator tube (SST)
Performance
Performed Daily
Report Available
Same day
Acceptable collection tube
SST
Notes
Do not use alcohol solutions as a skin preparation for drawing specimen. Use non-alcohol solutions such as iodine. Keep specimen tightly capped. Prevent exposure to atmosphere.
Clinical Significance
Ethanol is the most often abused substance whose primary effect on the CNS varies with blood concentration. Not all individuals experience the same effects at a given blood level. Other CNS depressants have an additive effect when taken in combination with ethanol. At high concentrations, ethanol elimination is relatively constant (zero order). Fatal concentration typically exceeds 0.4 g/dL. Blood concentrations of 0.3 g/dL are associated with coma. Ethyl alcohol is present in many medicinal liquids and mouthwashes