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Alcohols (Volatiles, Solvents)

Sample type: -

Urine (random)

Uses: -

  1. Beverage (ethanol).

  2. Solvent and reagent.

  3. Vehicle in chemical and pharmaceutical industries,

  4. Antiseptic (isopropyl alcohol).

Precautions: -

Urine tests can detect alcohol in your system much longer after you’ve consumed alcohol. On average, a urine test could detect alcohol between 12 to 48 hours after drinking. Some advanced urine tests can detect alcohol even 80 hours after you’ve had a drink. Alcohol can stay in your hair for a period of up to 90 days.

Interfere factor: -

  1. Immunoassay testing for ethanol may have cross-reactivity <1% with isopropanol alcohol, methanol, ethylene glycol, and acetaldehyde; <15% with n-propanol.

  2. Elevated concentrations of acetone are detected in specimens during diabetic ketoacidosis is and fasting ketoacidosis and may range from 10 to 70 mg/dL.

  3. In many headspaces gas chromatographic methods, acetonitrile coelutes with acetone, leading to a false-positive result. Acetonitrile may be a component in cosmetic nail remover.

  4. A positive urine ethanol due to the presence of yeast in the patient’s urine has been described. In these cases, glucose was also present in the urine.

Pre analytical error: -

  • Exchange the sample with another liquid.

Corrective action: -

  • Check the sample before receiving it.

Post analytical error: -

  • Wrong labeling and delivered to another patient.

Corrective action: -

  • Be careful when submission the result.

  • If the result is not delivered yet, ask to change it.

Reference range: -

–> Ethanol: <10 mg/dL.

  • 50 mg/dL: decreased inhibition, slight incoordination.

  • 100 mg/dL: slow reaction time; altered sensory ability.

  • 150 mg/dL: altered thought processes; personality, behavior changes.

  • 200 mg/dL: staggering gait, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion.

  • 300 mg/dL: slurred speech, sensory loss, visual disturbance.

  • 400 mg/dL: hypothermia, hypoglycemia, poor muscle control, seizures.

  • 700 mg/dL: unconsciousness, decreased reflexes, respiratory failure (may also occur at lower concentrations).

–> Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol): <10 mg/dL (normal); toxic effects generally seen at 50–100 mg/dL.

–> Methanol: <10 mg/dL(normal); levels >25 mg/dLare generally considered toxic.

–> Acetone: <10 mg/dL; effects are said to be like ethanol for similar blood levels, but the anesthetic potency is greater.