When conducting an alcohol test (ETOH), which cleaning agent should be avoided?

In the context of conducting an alcohol test (ETOH), using alcohol as a cleaning agent before drawing blood can significantly affect the accuracy of the test results. The rationale behind this is that alcohol can leave residual ethanol on the skin, which could be absorbed into the bloodstream and subsequently detected in the samples. This contamination could lead to false-positive results, suggesting the presence of alcohol when, in fact, there may not be any.

By avoiding the use of alcohol for cleaning the skin prior to the test, phlebotomists ensure that the sample collected reflects the actual blood alcohol level of the patient without interference from external substances. This is critical for accurate testing and diagnosis in clinical settings.

The other cleaning agents mentioned, such as betadine, chlorhexidine, and normal saline, do not contain alcohol and therefore do not pose the same risk of contamination in the context of an alcohol test.