Final answer:
A person's BAC can continue to rise after they become unconscious since the liver continues to metabolize alcohol and the body will absorb any alcohol remaining in the stomach and intestines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether a person's BAC level will stop rising once they become unconscious. It is important to understand that even if a person is not conscious, the alcohol present in their stomach and intestines continues to be absorbed into the bloodstream, potentially raising the BAC further until all alcohol has been absorbed.
The liver metabolizes alcohol at a consistent rate, approximately 3.3 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) per hour, regardless of consciousness. In cases of extreme intoxication, where unconsciousness may occur around a BAC of 0.30%, the body will continue to process any alcohol that has already been consumed. Therefore, a person's BAC can indeed continue to rise after they have lost consciousness.