SmartServe Ontario Practice Exam

True or False: An older person who drinks the same amount of alcohol as a younger person will likely have a higher BAC level.

1. True

2. False

3. Depends on hydration

4. Only if they weigh less

The correct answer is: True

The statement is true because older individuals generally have a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) than younger individuals when consuming the same amount of alcohol. This difference can be attributed to several physiological factors. As people age, their body composition typically changes; for example, the percentage of body water decreases, while body fat increases. Since alcohol is distributed throughout body water, a lower water content means that alcohol will be more concentrated in the bloodstream of older adults. Additionally, metabolic processes may slow with age, leading to prolonged effects of alcohol as the body takes longer to eliminate it. Therefore, even if the amount of alcohol consumed is the same, the fact that an older person generally has a higher BAC is accurate. The other options, while possibly relevant in various contexts, do not capture the broader physiological changes that occur with aging. Factors like hydration and body weight can influence BAC; however, they do not negate the primary reason for the difference between age groups when it comes to alcohol consumption.