RSA Safe Serving Practices & Alcohol Effects on the Body 3 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: A visibly intoxicated guest claims they will 'just sit in the car and sleep it off.' What should a server do?
- Allow it since the guest is not driving
- Call a taxi or rideshare and offer to wait with the guest (Correct answer)
- Give the guest coffee and let them decide in 30 minutes
- Escort the guest to their car to ensure they are safe
Correct answer: Call a taxi or rideshare and offer to wait with the guest
Even if the guest is not driving, sitting in a vehicle while intoxicated can be dangerous and a server should arrange alternative transportation.
Question 2: Which factor does NOT speed up alcohol absorption?
- Drinking on an empty stomach
- Consuming carbonated mixers
- Eating a high-fat meal before drinking (Correct answer)
- Drinking at high altitude
Correct answer: Eating a high-fat meal before drinking
A high-fat meal slows gastric emptying and delays alcohol absorption rather than speeding it up.
Question 3: Under dram shop liability laws, a licensed establishment can be held responsible for damages if they:
- Serve a guest who later becomes sober before driving
- Serve an already-visibly-intoxicated guest who then causes harm (Correct answer)
- Allow a guest to nurse a single drink for two hours
- Sell alcohol during permitted hours to a verified adult
Correct answer: Serve an already-visibly-intoxicated guest who then causes harm
Dram shop laws hold establishments liable when they serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who subsequently injures others.
Question 4: A server notices a regular customer acting strangely after only one drink. What should the server consider?
- The customer must be using a fake ID
- The customer may have consumed alcohol elsewhere before arriving (Correct answer)
- Light beers cause abnormal reactions in some individuals
- The customer is likely dehydrated and needs more alcohol
Correct answer: The customer may have consumed alcohol elsewhere before arriving
Pre-loadingādrinking before arrivingāmeans a guest's BAC may already be elevated before you serve them their first on-premises drink.
Question 5: What does the term 'standard drink' refer to in the United States?
- Any beverage served in a standard 12 oz glass
- A serving containing approximately 0.6 oz of pure ethanol (Correct answer)
- Any alcoholic beverage under 15% ABV
- One beer, one glass of wine, or one cocktail regardless of size
Correct answer: A serving containing approximately 0.6 oz of pure ethanol
A US standard drink contains about 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol, regardless of the type of beverage.
Question 6: Which body system is FIRST affected as BAC rises from 0.00% to 0.03%?
- Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular system
- Central nervous system and judgment (Correct answer)
- Digestive system
Correct answer: Central nervous system and judgment
Even at low BAC levels, alcohol begins depressing the CNS, subtly impairing judgment and lowering inhibitions before physical signs appear.
Question 7: A guest asks for 'one for the road.' What is the appropriate server response?
- Serve it since one drink is unlikely to impair driving
- Decline and offer to call a rideshare or taxi (Correct answer)
- Offer a reduced-alcohol version of their usual drink
- Ask the guest to wait 20 minutes before leaving
Correct answer: Decline and offer to call a rideshare or taxi
Serving a final drink to a guest who is about to drive is irresponsible and can increase the establishment's liability.
RSA Safe Serving Practices & Alcohol Effects on the Body 3
A visibly intoxicated guest claims they will 'just sit in the car and sleep it off.' What should a server do?