Identifying Intoxication & Impairment Flashcards
6 cards from real SMART SERVE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Identifying Intoxication & Impairment flashcards as text
Which of the following is a reliable physical sign of intoxication?
Answer: Slurred speech, loss of coordination, and glassy/unfocused eyes
Reliable physical signs include slurred speech, impaired coordination, glassy or bloodshot eyes, difficulty standing or walking, and spilling drinks. Behavioral changes alone aren't sufficient indicators.
A patron who has only had two drinks is showing signs of severe intoxication. What might explain this?
Answer: They may have consumed alcohol elsewhere, taken medications, be fatigued, or have a low tolerance
Factors like pre-drinking elsewhere, medication interactions, fatigue, empty stomach, low body weight, or health conditions can cause visible intoxication from relatively few drinks at your venue.
What is the TAPS method for monitoring patron intoxication?
Answer: Time, Amount, Proof, Speed
TAPS stands for Time (how long they've been drinking), Amount (how many drinks), Proof (alcohol content/strength of drinks), and Speed (how fast they're drinking). It helps track intoxication risk.
At what point should a server begin monitoring a patron more closely?
Answer: From the moment they enter — monitoring should be continuous
Monitoring should be continuous from the moment a patron begins consuming alcohol. Waiting for obvious signs of impairment means you've likely already over-served them.
A patron's behavior changes from quiet to very loud and overly friendly. Is this a sign of intoxication?
Answer: Yes — behavioral changes like loss of inhibition and exaggerated behavior indicate possible intoxication
Loss of inhibition leading to personality changes (quiet person becomes loud, reserved person becomes overly friendly) is one of the earliest behavioral signs of alcohol's effect on the brain.
A patron is buying rounds for everyone in the bar. Should the server be concerned?
Answer: Yes — buying rounds leads to faster group consumption and the buyer may be masking their own intoxication level
Round-buying accelerates group drinking pace and can indicate the buyer's lowered inhibitions. The server should monitor all recipients for intoxication, not just the buyer.