Which BAC range corresponds to stupor?

• A. 0.27-0.40%
• B. 0.18-0.30%
• C. 0.35-0.50%
• D. >0.45%

Answer: (A)

Stupor represents a severe level of central nervous system depression where consciousness is greatly reduced and the person is largely unresponsive, needing strong stimulation to wake. As blood alcohol concentration rises into the high 0.2s to around 0.4%, motor coordination and mental function deteriorate enough that normal responses become very blunted and arousal requires vigorous stimuli. The range 0.27%–0.40% captures this stage well: it’s high enough to cause marked sedation and near-unresponsiveness, yet not always completely unconscious, which fits the definition of stupor. At lower levels, around the upper 0.1s to 0.2s, intoxication is characterized more by disinhibition and impaired coordination rather than stupor, while higher levels (above about 0.4%–0.5%) push toward coma or life-threatening depression of respiration.