DRE DRE Field Sobriety & Vital Signs 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which three standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) are validated by NHTSA for detecting alcohol impairment?
- HGN, Walk-and-Turn, One-Leg Stand (Correct answer)
- Romberg, Finger-to-Nose, HGN
- Walk-and-Turn, Romberg, One-Leg Stand
- HGN, Finger-to-Nose, Walk-and-Turn
Correct answer: HGN, Walk-and-Turn, One-Leg Stand
NHTSA validates the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk-and-Turn (WAT), and One-Leg Stand (OLS) as the standardized battery for alcohol impairment detection.
Question 2: During the DRE 12-step protocol, vital signs are measured including pulse rate. What is the normal resting adult pulse range?
- 40–60 bpm
- 60–100 bpm (Correct answer)
- 100–120 bpm
- 120–160 bpm
Correct answer: 60–100 bpm
A normal adult resting pulse rate is 60–100 beats per minute; values outside this range may indicate drug influence on the autonomic nervous system.
Question 3: An elevated body temperature above 99°F (37.2°C) in a DRE evaluation is most consistent with which drug category?
- CNS depressants
- Narcotic analgesics
- CNS stimulants (Correct answer)
- Inhalants
Correct answer: CNS stimulants
CNS stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine raise core body temperature (hyperthermia) through increased metabolic activity and sympathetic stimulation.
Question 4: What does the Modified Romberg Balance test primarily assess in a DRE evaluation?
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus
- Internal time estimation and balance (Correct answer)
- Pupil reaction to light
- Blood pressure response
Correct answer: Internal time estimation and balance
The Modified Romberg Balance test assesses a subject's sense of balance and their ability to estimate 30 seconds, both of which can be impaired by drugs.
Question 5: During the DRE muscle tone assessment, CNS depressants typically produce which finding?
- Rigid or waxy muscle tone
- Flaccid (loose) muscle tone (Correct answer)
- Normal muscle tone
- Spastic muscle tone
Correct answer: Flaccid (loose) muscle tone
CNS depressants relax muscle activity, resulting in flaccid or reduced muscle tone that a DRE can detect through passive movement of the limbs.
Question 6: A DRE measures a suspect's blood pressure at 160/100 mmHg. This hypertensive reading is most consistent with influence from which category?
- CNS depressants
- Narcotic analgesics
- CNS stimulants (Correct answer)
- Cannabis
Correct answer: CNS stimulants
CNS stimulants cause sympathetic nervous system activation, which elevates both systolic and diastolic blood pressure well above normal ranges.
DRE DRE Field Sobriety & Vital Signs 1
Which three standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) are validated by NHTSA for detecting alcohol impairment?