What does distribution refer to in alcohol metabolism?

What does distribution refer to in alcohol metabolism?

• A. The process of distributing alcohol between blood and all other tissue water compartments.
• B. The process of metabolizing alcohol in the liver.
• C. The process of excreting alcohol through the lungs.
• D. The process of absorbing alcohol from the stomach

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how alcohol moves within the body after it is absorbed. Distribution refers to the rapid movement of ethanol from the bloodstream into all body water compartments. Because ethanol dissolves in water, it equilibrates between blood and tissues that contain water, so the amount of alcohol in the body is spread out in the total body water rather than staying confined to the blood. The extent of this distribution depends on how much body water a person has—more body water means more dilution and a lower blood alcohol concentration for the same amount of alcohol. This phase is distinct from absorption (getting alcohol from the stomach and intestines into the blood), metabolism (liver processing of alcohol), and excretion (elimination via breath, urine, etc.).

The concept being tested is how alcohol moves within the body after it is absorbed. Distribution refers to the rapid movement of ethanol from the bloodstream into all body water compartments. Because ethanol dissolves in water, it equilibrates between blood and tissues that contain water, so the amount of alcohol in the body is spread out in the total body water rather than staying confined to the blood. The extent of this distribution depends on how much body water a person has—more body water means more dilution and a lower blood alcohol concentration for the same amount of alcohol.

This phase is distinct from absorption (getting alcohol from the stomach and intestines into the blood), metabolism (liver processing of alcohol), and excretion (elimination via breath, urine, etc.).