Question

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

Answer 1

Answer:

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.