SMARTSERVE Identifying Intoxication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What physical sign might indicate a patron is reaching a dangerous level of intoxication?
- Asking for the check
- Flushed face, glassy eyes, and difficulty focusing (Correct answer)
- Ordering a non-alcoholic drink
- Laughing at jokes
Correct answer: Flushed face, glassy eyes, and difficulty focusing
Flushed face, glassy or unfocused eyes are physical signs of significant alcohol impairment that may indicate a dangerous level of intoxication.
Question 2: Why might a patron who appears sober still be legally over the limit?
- Legal limits are set higher than most people realize
- Regular drinkers can develop a tolerance that masks visible signs of impairment (Correct answer)
- Blood alcohol tests are often inaccurate
- Alcohol takes no time to affect behavior
Correct answer: Regular drinkers can develop a tolerance that masks visible signs of impairment
Regular drinkers can develop a high tolerance, meaning they show fewer visible signs of intoxication despite having a high blood alcohol concentration.
Question 3: A patron appears perfectly fine but tells you they have had 10 drinks over two hours. What should you do?
- Continue serving since they appear sober
- Refuse further service because the reported consumption indicates dangerous intoxication (Correct answer)
- Ask them to eat food and then serve another drink
- Call their designated driver immediately
Correct answer: Refuse further service because the reported consumption indicates dangerous intoxication
Even without visible signs, 10 drinks in two hours represents extreme alcohol consumption that requires immediate refusal of further service.
Question 4: What is 'rate of consumption' and why is it important for servers?
- The price per drink at the establishment
- How quickly a patron is drinking, which helps predict rising intoxication (Correct answer)
- The speed at which a bartender prepares drinks
- The legal limit of drinks served per hour
Correct answer: How quickly a patron is drinking, which helps predict rising intoxication
Rate of consumption refers to how quickly a patron is drinking and helps servers anticipate when a patron may be approaching intoxication.
Question 5: Which of the following factors can affect how quickly a person becomes intoxicated?
- The color of their clothing
- Body weight, food intake, and metabolism (Correct answer)
- The type of glass used
- Whether they are indoors or outdoors
Correct answer: Body weight, food intake, and metabolism
Body weight, amount of food consumed, and individual metabolic rate all influence how quickly alcohol is absorbed and how intoxicated a person becomes.
Question 6: A patron seems to be getting intoxicated quickly on only two drinks. What might explain this?
- The drinks were weak
- They may have a low tolerance, small body mass, or have consumed alcohol elsewhere before arriving (Correct answer)
- The venue is too warm
- They are pretending to be intoxicated
Correct answer: They may have a low tolerance, small body mass, or have consumed alcohol elsewhere before arriving
Low body weight, low tolerance, or pre-gaming (drinking before arriving) can all cause someone to become intoxicated faster than expected.
SMARTSERVE Identifying Intoxication 2
What physical sign might indicate a patron is reaching a dangerous level of intoxication?