SIR Signs of Intoxication 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a reliable indicator of intoxication?
- Slurred speech
- Bloodshot eyes
- The type of drink ordered (Correct answer)
- Unsteady gait
Correct answer: The type of drink ordered
The type of drink ordered (beer vs. cocktail vs. wine) is not a reliable indicator of intoxication. A person drinking beer can be just as intoxicated as someone drinking spirits. Observable physical and behavioural signs are more reliable.
Question 2: How does body weight affect alcohol absorption?
- Body weight has no effect
- Heavier people generally reach a lower BAC from the same amount of alcohol (Correct answer)
- Lighter people absorb alcohol more slowly
- Only muscle mass matters, not overall weight
Correct answer: Heavier people generally reach a lower BAC from the same amount of alcohol
A heavier person generally reaches a lower BAC from the same amount of alcohol because the alcohol is distributed across more body mass and fluids.
Question 3: What is a sign that a patron may have been drinking before arriving at the establishment?
- They order food right away
- They display signs of intoxication despite having consumed few or no drinks at the establishment (Correct answer)
- They arrive alone
- They sit at the bar instead of a table
Correct answer: They display signs of intoxication despite having consumed few or no drinks at the establishment
If a patron shows signs of intoxication but has consumed few or no drinks at your establishment, they likely consumed alcohol before arriving. This is important to note because you are still responsible for not serving an intoxicated person.
Question 4: What role does gender play in alcohol metabolism?
- Gender has no effect on alcohol metabolism
- Women generally reach higher BAC levels than men from the same amount of alcohol due to body composition differences (Correct answer)
- Men always get more intoxicated than women
- Only age matters, not gender
Correct answer: Women generally reach higher BAC levels than men from the same amount of alcohol due to body composition differences
Women generally reach higher BAC levels from the same amount of alcohol due to typically having a higher percentage of body fat, less body water, and lower levels of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.
Question 5: What is the significance of a patron's eyes becoming glazed or unfocused?
- They need new glasses
- It is a physical sign of intoxication affecting the nervous system (Correct answer)
- They are tired from working
- It indicates they are allergic to alcohol
Correct answer: It is a physical sign of intoxication affecting the nervous system
Glazed or unfocused eyes are a physical sign of intoxication. Alcohol affects the nervous system, including the muscles that control eye focus and movement.
Question 6: Why should servers be cautious about relying solely on counting drinks to assess intoxication?
- Counting is too difficult during busy shifts
- Individual factors like body weight, food intake, and tolerance mean the same number of drinks affects people differently (Correct answer)
- Drink counts are only important for the bill
- Patrons always report their drink count accurately
Correct answer: Individual factors like body weight, food intake, and tolerance mean the same number of drinks affects people differently
Drink counting alone is insufficient because individual factors such as body weight, food consumption, medications, fatigue, and personal tolerance all affect how the same number of drinks impacts different people.
SIR Signs of Intoxication 4
Which of the following is NOT a reliable indicator of intoxication?