Which test would be particularly useful in determining isopropanol exposure?

Which test would be particularly useful in determining isopropanol exposure?

• A. Serum osmolality and urine acetone
• B. Urine osmolality and serum osmolality
• C. Urine acetone and urine osmolality
• D. Serum sodium and serum acetone

Answer: (A)

Isopropanol exposure is best identified by combining a measure of the alcohol’s osmotic impact with a specific metabolite marker. When isopropanol is present in the blood, it raises serum osmolality, creating an elevated osmolal gap that serves as a quick screen for low-molecular-weight alcohols. To confirm that exposure is specifically due to isopropanol, you look for acetone in the urine, since acetone is the primary metabolite produced when the body processes isopropanol. So, testing serum osmolality to detect the osmotic effect and urine acetone to confirm the metabolite provides both a broad indication and a specific confirmation of isopropanol exposure.

Isopropanol exposure is best identified by combining a measure of the alcohol’s osmotic impact with a specific metabolite marker. When isopropanol is present in the blood, it raises serum osmolality, creating an elevated osmolal gap that serves as a quick screen for low-molecular-weight alcohols. To confirm that exposure is specifically due to isopropanol, you look for acetone in the urine, since acetone is the primary metabolite produced when the body processes isopropanol. So, testing serum osmolality to detect the osmotic effect and urine acetone to confirm the metabolite provides both a broad indication and a specific confirmation of isopropanol exposure.