US Medical Term · tests
Blood Alcohol Level (BAC Test)
Nivel de alcohol en sangre
Also: Alcoholemia (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Blood Alcohol Level (BAC Test) |
| Spanish (Español) | Nivel de alcohol en sangre |
| Chinese (中文) | 血液酒精濃度 |
| Korean (한국어) | 혈중 알코올 농도 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Xét nghiệm nồng độ cồn trong máu |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Blood Alcohol Level |
| Portuguese (Português) | Nível de álcool no sangue |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตรวจระดับแอลกอฮอล์ในเลือด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 血中アルコール濃度検査 |
What it means
A blood alcohol level test, often called a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) test, measures the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. A nurse or technician draws blood from a vein in your arm. Results are expressed as a percentage; in the United States, a BAC of 0.08% or higher is the legal limit for driving in all states. The test is ordered in emergency rooms after accidents, overdoses, or suspected alcohol poisoning, and is used in legal and forensic settings. Blood alcohol peaks about 30–90 minutes after drinking and declines as the liver metabolizes it. A breathalyzer test is a non-invasive alternative commonly used by law enforcement.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
The ER doctor wants to check my blood alcohol level — will they take blood or use a breathalyzer?
El médico de urgencias quiere revisar mi nivel de alcohol en sangre — ¿tomarán sangre o usarán un alcoholímetro?
What BAC level is considered dangerous or potentially fatal?
¿Qué nivel de alcohol en sangre se considera peligroso o potencialmente mortal?
How long after my last drink will alcohol still show up on a blood alcohol test?
¿Cuánto tiempo después de mi última copa seguirá apareciendo el alcohol en la prueba de sangre?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026