RAMP Identifying Intoxication 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RAMP training, which factor does NOT slow alcohol absorption into the bloodstream?
- Eating a high-fat meal before drinking
- Drinking carbonated mixers with alcohol (Correct answer)
- Consuming food while drinking
- Drinking at a slow, steady pace
Correct answer: Drinking carbonated mixers with alcohol
Carbonated mixers actually speed up alcohol absorption by opening the pyloric valve, while food, pacing, and eating beforehand slow absorption.
Question 2: A server notices a customer has been nursing the same beer for 45 minutes but is showing signs of impaired coordination. What is the most likely explanation?
- The customer is faking intoxication
- The customer was already intoxicated before arriving at the establishment (Correct answer)
- The beer has unusually high alcohol content
- The customer is having a medical emergency unrelated to alcohol
Correct answer: The customer was already intoxicated before arriving at the establishment
RAMP training emphasizes that servers must consider that guests may have consumed alcohol elsewhere before arriving, making prior intoxication a key consideration.
Question 3: Which observation technique is recommended by RAMP for monitoring a guest's level of intoxication over time?
- Asking the guest directly how much they have had to drink
- Establishing a behavioral baseline early in the visit and tracking changes (Correct answer)
- Counting drinks served and applying a fixed formula
- Relying on other guests to report if someone is drunk
Correct answer: Establishing a behavioral baseline early in the visit and tracking changes
RAMP recommends establishing a behavioral baseline when the guest arrives sober and comparing subsequent behavior against that baseline.
Question 4: A 120-pound person and a 200-pound person each drink two beers in one hour. Which statement about their BAC is most accurate?
- Their BAC will be identical because they drank the same amount
- The lighter person will have a higher BAC due to less body mass to dilute the alcohol (Correct answer)
- The heavier person will be more impaired due to slower metabolism
- Body weight has no effect on BAC
Correct answer: The lighter person will have a higher BAC due to less body mass to dilute the alcohol
Body weight directly affects BAC because a larger body mass dilutes alcohol across a greater volume of blood and body water.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a 'cognitive' sign of intoxication, as opposed to a physical sign?
- Flushed face
- Difficulty making change or following simple instructions (Correct answer)
- Unsteady gait
- Bloodshot eyes
Correct answer: Difficulty making change or following simple instructions
Cognitive signs involve impaired thinking and reasoning, such as confusion, difficulty with math, or trouble following conversations.
Question 6: A RAMP-certified server is legally protected from dram shop liability if they:
- Served the customer only beer and wine, not spirits
- Acted responsibly and did not serve a visibly intoxicated person (Correct answer)
- Stopped serving after the customer's third drink
- Had the customer sign a waiver upon entry
Correct answer: Acted responsibly and did not serve a visibly intoxicated person
RAMP certification and adherence to responsible alcohol service practices provides servers and establishments with a legal affirmative defense under Pennsylvania law.
Question 7: When evaluating eye signs of intoxication, which observation is most significant for a RAMP-trained server?
- The color of the guest's eyes
- Bloodshot, glassy, or unfocused eyes combined with difficulty tracking movement (Correct answer)
- Frequent blinking
- Wearing contact lenses or glasses
Correct answer: Bloodshot, glassy, or unfocused eyes combined with difficulty tracking movement
Bloodshot, glassy, or unfocused eyes — especially when combined with other signs — are meaningful indicators of alcohol intoxication.
RAMP Identifying Intoxication 3
Under RAMP training, which factor does NOT slow alcohol absorption into the bloodstream?