Deck 15: Alcohol

Question 1

Which of the following statements about alcohol consumption is FALSE?

A) Methanol, ethanol and isopropanol are all alcohols, but the alcohol of nutritional significance is ethanol.
B) Alcohol is readily absorbed unchanged in the stomach and small intestine, and most consumed alcohol is metabolised in the liver.
C) Alcohol is considered a macronutrient (along with protein, fat and carbohydrate) because it can generate energy (29 kJ/g alcohol).
D) One standard drink of a regular beer (5% alcohol) contains the same amount of ethanol as one standard drink of a light beer (2.7% alcohol).
E) In Australia there is evidence that the percentage of adolescents aged between 15-17 years following the recommendation to delay the initiation of drinking for as long as possible appears to be increasing.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following statements about alcohol metabolism is FALSE?

A) Food high in protein or fat can interfere with alcohol absorption in the stomach.
B) The alcohol content in the breath is not necessarily indicative of the blood alcohol content (BAC).
C) Most ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde, which is further metabolised to acetate.
D) Excessive drinking can lead to the accumulation of acetaldehyde, which is believed to contribute to hangovers.
E) Acetate is the end product of alcohol metabolism and is used to produce energy as ATP via the TCA cycle.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

There may be an acceptably low level of alcohol intake in the following circumstances:

A) where pregnancy is possible
B) in hypertension
C) where stroke is a risk
D) while consuming food
E) in women at risk of breast cancer

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following statements about alcohol consumption is FALSE?

A) Reduced food intake can be observed in excessive drinkers due to the suppression of their appetite for food and alcohol displacing other food sources of energy.
B) The degree of adverse health consequences of alcohol consumption depends on the overall quantity of alcohol consumed and the patterns of drinking.
C) With the same amount of alcohol consumed and frequency of drinking, wines have a lesser impact on health compared to beers because wines are made from fruit.
D) Night blindness is common among excessive drinkers because alcohol interferes with vitamin A metabolism.
E) Excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and subsequently liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).

Question 5

Which of the following statements about adverse health consequences of excessive alcohol consumption is FALSE?

A) Drinking alcohol impairs blood glucose control.
B) Stopping drinking can help reduce damage and the progression of alcohol-related liver disease.
C) Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to gastritis, pancreatitis and malabsorption.
D) Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to deficiencies and abnormal metabolism of fat-soluble vitamins, resulting in the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
E) Alcohol use in pregnancy could cause fetal alcohol syndrome because alcohol, which is teratogenic, can pass through the placenta to the fetus.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about use of alcohol is FALSE?

A) For many people, it is possible to enjoy alcohol and still drink at a level that is less risky.
B) Eating before or while drinking alcohol or drinking alcohol slowly can slow its absorption and reduce its adverse metabolic effects.
C) For a healthy adult, it is completely safe to drink more than two standard drinks on any day.
D) For women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, the safest option is to not drink alcohol.
E) Children under 15 years are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking because they cannot metabolise alcohol as fast as adults.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about 'harmful' use of alcohol is FALSE?

A) The onset of alcohol effects is more rapid on an empty stomach.
B) Alcohol compromises brain function and that of most organs.
C) Reducing or quitting alcohol can lower the risks of long-term health consequences such as heart disease and cancer.
D) After drinking heavily for a period of time, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
E) People should be encouraged to take up drinking alcohol or to drink alcohol in moderation for its purported health benefits.

Question 8

Explain how drinking alcohol when the stomach is empty can affect the fate of alcohol in the body.

Question 9

In an average healthy person (60 kg with 40L body fluid), one standard drink can increase blood alcohol content by 0.025. Explain how this figure is derived.

Question 10

Explain the sex differences in health risk from alcohol?