SIR Signs of Intoxication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a cognitive sign of intoxication?
- Ordering from the menu
- Difficulty making decisions or following conversation (Correct answer)
- Tipping generously
- Speaking a different language
Correct answer: Difficulty making decisions or following conversation
Difficulty making decisions or following conversation is a cognitive sign of intoxication. Alcohol impairs brain function, affecting judgment, concentration, and the ability to process information.
Question 2: How does food consumption affect the rate of alcohol absorption?
- Food has no effect on alcohol absorption
- Eating food speeds up alcohol absorption
- Eating food slows down alcohol absorption (Correct answer)
- Only protein affects absorption
Correct answer: Eating food slows down alcohol absorption
Food in the stomach slows down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. This is because food delays gastric emptying, keeping alcohol in the stomach longer where it is absorbed more slowly.
Question 3: What is the average rate at which the human body metabolizes alcohol?
- One standard drink per 30 minutes
- One standard drink per hour (Correct answer)
- Two standard drinks per hour
- One standard drink per two hours
Correct answer: One standard drink per hour
The average human body metabolizes approximately one standard drink per hour. This rate cannot be accelerated by coffee, cold showers, or exercise.
Question 4: Which physical sign might indicate a patron has reached a dangerous level of intoxication?
- Dancing energetically
- Loss of consciousness or inability to stand (Correct answer)
- Talking on their phone
- Requesting the bill
Correct answer: Loss of consciousness or inability to stand
Loss of consciousness or inability to stand indicates a dangerously high level of intoxication that could lead to alcohol poisoning. This requires immediate medical attention.
Question 5: Why might a person's tolerance to alcohol give a misleading impression of their intoxication level?
- Tolerance means alcohol has no effect on them
- Regular drinkers may show fewer visible signs while still being impaired (Correct answer)
- Tolerance eliminates BAC entirely
- People with tolerance never get intoxicated
Correct answer: Regular drinkers may show fewer visible signs while still being impaired
A person with high tolerance may appear relatively sober while having a high BAC. Their body has adapted to mask visible signs, but they are still legally and physically impaired.
Question 6: What is one effect of alcohol on a person's emotional state?
- Alcohol always makes people happy
- Alcohol can intensify existing emotions, including sadness or anger (Correct answer)
- Alcohol eliminates all emotions
- Alcohol only affects physical coordination
Correct answer: Alcohol can intensify existing emotions, including sadness or anger
Alcohol is not simply a mood elevator. It tends to intensify whatever emotions a person is already experiencing, which is why some people become aggressive, weepy, or overly emotional when drinking.
Which of the following is a cognitive sign of intoxication?