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Hello! I Know An Individual That Was In A Car

Posted on Wed, 5 Feb 2020

Question: Hello! I know an individual that was in a car accident and was wearing his seatbelt who had been drinking alcohol. Upon impact, his bladder ruptured. My question is, could the rupture of the bladder and the Ieaking of urine in the abdominal cavity in any way effect a breathalyzer? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Bladder rupture will not affect breathalyser.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Alcohol is mainly eliminated from the body via metabolism by the liver into carbon dioxide and water. Around 10% of ingested alcohol is eliminated unchanged in breath, sweat and urine.
Bladder rupture has got no role in pulmonary(lung) elimination of alcohol and will not affect breathalyser.
Bladder rupture is a surgical emergency and you should seek medical advise at the earliest.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (2 hours later)

I understand. Due to the liver metabolizing the urine before it reaches the bladder I figured that it would be a small amount, if any, that could be reabsorbed due to the bladder rupture. Secondly, in the same individual with a BAC of .23, could they be capable of making a medical decision to go to the hospital at that time? I am an RN and from my point of view with a BAC that high, one should not be able to legally make that decision?

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Given

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In practical scenarios bladder rupture does not alter breathalyser. It is because in most cases the bladder rupture is extraperitoneal and peritoneal spillage is unlikely. Also very small quantity of alcohol is excreted through urine and the alcohol is metabolised to byproducts like aldehyde as well.
BAC of above 0.08 is considered as legally intoxicated and he can not make legal decisions.
Hope I have answered your query.
thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad