Smart Serve Ontario Signs of Intoxication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the difference between signs and symptoms of intoxication?
- There is no difference
- Signs are what the server observes; symptoms are what the patron feels and reports (Correct answer)
- Signs appear first, symptoms appear later
- Signs are physical while symptoms are legal terms
Correct answer: Signs are what the server observes; symptoms are what the patron feels and reports
Signs are observable indicators that the server can see (stumbling, slurred speech), while symptoms are internal experiences reported by the patron (feeling dizzy, nauseous). Servers must rely primarily on signs.
Question 2: Which of the following motor skill changes is a sign of intoxication?
- Eating with utensils
- Difficulty handling money, spilling drinks, or swaying while standing (Correct answer)
- Texting on a phone
- Dancing to music
Correct answer: Difficulty handling money, spilling drinks, or swaying while standing
Impaired motor skills manifest as difficulty with fine tasks (handling money, picking up drinks), spilling beverages, stumbling, swaying, or difficulty maintaining balance.
Question 3: How does the rate of alcohol consumption affect intoxication?
- Rate does not matter, only total amount consumed
- Faster consumption leads to higher BAC because the body cannot metabolize alcohol as quickly as it is being consumed (Correct answer)
- Slower consumption always prevents intoxication
- Rate only matters for spirits, not beer or wine
Correct answer: Faster consumption leads to higher BAC because the body cannot metabolize alcohol as quickly as it is being consumed
The body can only metabolize approximately one standard drink per hour. Consuming alcohol faster than this rate causes BAC to rise more quickly, accelerating intoxication.
Question 4: Which emotional change is commonly associated with intoxication?
- Increased patience
- Mood swings, including sudden aggression, excessive sentimentality, or uncharacteristic sadness (Correct answer)
- Greater focus and concentration
- Improved decision-making
Correct answer: Mood swings, including sudden aggression, excessive sentimentality, or uncharacteristic sadness
Intoxication often leads to emotional instability, including sudden mood swings. A patron may become uncharacteristically aggressive, overly emotional, or show rapid shifts between emotions.
Question 5: What does it mean when a patron's behaviour changes from being quiet and reserved to loud and boisterous?
- They are having a good time and should be left alone
- This behavioural shift from baseline may indicate the effects of alcohol and should be monitored (Correct answer)
- They want to order more drinks
- This is normal social behaviour unrelated to alcohol
Correct answer: This behavioural shift from baseline may indicate the effects of alcohol and should be monitored
A significant change from a patron's baseline behaviour is one of the most reliable indicators of intoxication. Moving from quiet and reserved to loud and boisterous represents a notable behavioural shift.
Question 6: Why is it difficult to assess intoxication in patrons who were already drinking before arriving?
- It is not difficult at all
- Because the server did not observe their baseline behaviour or track their prior consumption (Correct answer)
- Because previous drinks do not affect current intoxication
- Because only the drinks consumed on premises count legally
Correct answer: Because the server did not observe their baseline behaviour or track their prior consumption
When patrons arrive having already consumed alcohol, servers cannot establish a true baseline or account for prior consumption. This makes assessment more challenging and requires extra vigilance.
Smart Serve Ontario Signs of Intoxication 2
What is the difference between signs and symptoms of intoxication?