Suppose an individual drinking on an empty stomach reaches a peak BAC of 0.08% after consuming 4 standard drinks. If eating before drinking slows absorption so that only 80% of ethanol reaches systemic circulation (because of prolonged gastric retention and increased pre-systemic ADH metabolism), estimate the expected peak BAC for the fed condition assuming linearity between amount absorbed and peak BAC.

• A. Approximately 0.032% because pre-systemic metabolism eliminates nearly all alcohol in the presence of food.
• B. Approximately 0.08% because feeding affects only subjective intoxication and not measurable blood concentrations.
• C. Approximately 0.10% because food increases gastric ADH which converts ethanol into more bioavailable acetate increasing BAC.
• D. Approximately 0.064% peak BAC.

Answer: (D)