blood alcohol of 455

[sal@mmgwsw.com]

What does this mean in terms of how intoxicated the patient is, or compared to legal level of intoxication.

[Knight]

What does this mean in terms of how intoxicated the patient is, or compared to legal level of intoxication.

I'd need to know what units the number 455 relates to. A Blood Alcohol Content of 455 would be imposible. A level of 0.455 would be a lethal level.

Here's a little background, that may help answer your question:

Blood Alcohol Content, or BAC, is measured in grams per ml of blood. In terms of intoxication, the effects of various levels would generally be:

BAC (g/ml)
0.01 to 0.05 - Mild sense of elation, relaxation, and pleasure, decrease in judgment and inhibitions.
0.06 to 0.10 - Reduced ability to make rational decisions or exercise good judgment.
0.10 to 0.15 - Slurred speach, impairment of balance and movement.
0.16 to 0.29 - Severe motor and sensory impairment, reduced awareness of external stimulation.
0.30 to 0.39 - Nonresponsive stupor, loss of consciousness, death (for many).
0.40 & up - Unconsciousness, cessation of breathing, death, usually due to respiratory failure.

As to the legal level of intoxication, most states in the US define a person with a BAC of 0.08 to 0.10 as legally intoxicated.