RSA Identifying Intoxication & Intervention Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A guest's companion insists their friend is 'fine' and demands another round. How should the server respond?
- Trust the companion's assessment and serve the drink
- Refuse service based solely on the companion's word
- Make an independent assessment of the potentially intoxicated guest before deciding (Correct answer)
- Ask the bartender to make the decision instead
Correct answer: Make an independent assessment of the potentially intoxicated guest before deciding
Servers must make their own objective assessment of intoxication rather than relying on companions who may understate the situation.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a recognized behavioral sign of alcohol intoxication?
- Overly friendly or uninhibited behavior
- Sudden improvement in coordination and reflexes (Correct answer)
- Difficulty focusing or tracking a conversation
- Mood swings or emotional volatility
Correct answer: Sudden improvement in coordination and reflexes
Alcohol is a depressant that impairs coordination; it does not improve physical reflexes or motor skills.
Question 3: When is the BEST time for a server to establish a drink-counting system during a shift?
- Only after a guest shows signs of intoxication
- From the very first drink served to each guest (Correct answer)
- After the second drink is ordered
- When the manager requests a count
Correct answer: From the very first drink served to each guest
Tracking from the first drink gives the most accurate picture of total consumption and allows early intervention.
Question 4: A guest at a work event is drinking heavily but insists they have an Uber waiting. What is the server's BEST course of action?
- Continue serving since a sober driver is arranged
- Refuse additional service if the guest is visibly intoxicated, regardless of transportation plans (Correct answer)
- Serve a smaller portion of alcohol as a compromise
- Ask the event host to authorize further service
Correct answer: Refuse additional service if the guest is visibly intoxicated, regardless of transportation plans
Transportation plans do not change a server's duty to stop serving a visibly intoxicated person.
Question 5: Which intervention strategy is considered MOST effective when a guest has become belligerent after being cut off?
- Involve multiple staff members to physically escort the guest out
- Offer a non-alcoholic beverage and food while a manager speaks privately with the guest (Correct answer)
- Call law enforcement immediately without attempting communication
- Ignore the behavior and hope they calm down
Correct answer: Offer a non-alcoholic beverage and food while a manager speaks privately with the guest
Offering food and non-alcoholic drinks while involving a manager gives the guest a dignified way to de-escalate.
Question 6: What does 'responsible service of alcohol' require when a guest who appears intoxicated orders food with another drink?
- Serve both since food will help absorb the alcohol
- Serve the food but decline to serve additional alcohol (Correct answer)
- Serve neither until the intoxication assessment is documented
- Serve the drink in a smaller glass to reduce intake
Correct answer: Serve the food but decline to serve additional alcohol
Food slows but does not reverse intoxication; service of alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person is still prohibited.
Question 7: A server suspects a guest is intoxicated but isn't certain. According to RSA best practices, the server should:
- Serve the drink but check back in five minutes
- Wait until the guest is obviously intoxicated to avoid a false accusation
- Slow service, offer water and food, and closely monitor the guest before serving more (Correct answer)
- Ask the guest directly if they are drunk
Correct answer: Slow service, offer water and food, and closely monitor the guest before serving more
Slowing service and monitoring is the appropriate cautious response when intoxication is suspected but not confirmed.
RSA Identifying Intoxication & Intervention Techniques 3
A guest's companion insists their friend is 'fine' and demands another round.
How should the server respond?