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17 October, 09:35

Stephanie was on medication for a cough when she was tested for alcohol levels using the PBT. Though she did not consume much alcohol,

what could be the possible reason for a high reading?

A. The device was faulty.

B. She exhaled Into the device mouthpiece superficially.

C. The medication contained molecules similar to ethanol.

D. Stephanie's lungs are infected

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Answers (1)
  1. 17 October, 12:00
    0
    The reason why Stephanie - who does not consume alcohol but was medicated for coughing - had a high reading when she had her preliminary breath test (PBT) is because the medication contained molecules similar to ethanol (option C).

    Explanation:

    Breath alcohol content (BAC) is a measure that is performed through the use of special devices, such as the brethalizer, an analyzer for detecting blood alcohol in drivers. Ethanol is a volatile product that, when found in the blood, is partially eliminated by the airways.

    The use of certain types of medications may cause a high reading on the breathalyzer because they contain ethanol. This is likely to have happened to Stephanie who was using a cough medicine - which usually has a low ethanol content - and got a positive reading on the breathalyzer.
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