TAM Card Alcohol's Effects on Body 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does Nevada law consider a person legally impaired for driving?
- 0.04%
- 0.08% (Correct answer)
- 0.10%
- 0.12%
Correct answer: 0.08%
Nevada law sets the legal limit for DUI at 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and older under NRS 484C.110.
Under NRS 484C.110, it is unlawful for any person who has a BAC of 0.08% or more to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle. This threshold applies to drivers aged 21 and older. Commercial drivers face a stricter limit of 0.04%, and drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit. Servers should understand these thresholds because over-serving a patron who then drives can create liability for the establishment.
Question 2: Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the body?
- Kidneys
- Stomach
- Liver (Correct answer)
- Pancreas
Correct answer: Liver
The liver metabolizes approximately 90-95% of consumed alcohol through enzymatic breakdown.
The liver processes alcohol using the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which converts ethanol to acetaldehyde, then to acetate. The liver can only metabolize about one standard drink per hour regardless of the person's size or tolerance. This is why TAM-trained servers understand that time is the only factor that actually reduces BAC. Coffee, food, or cold showers do not speed up the metabolic process.
Question 3: How does alcohol primarily affect the central nervous system?
- It acts as a stimulant
- It acts as a depressant (Correct answer)
- It has no effect on the CNS
- It only affects motor skills
Correct answer: It acts as a depressant
Alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant, slowing brain function and neural activity.
Although people may initially feel more relaxed or sociable after drinking, alcohol is pharmacologically a depressant. It inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters and enhances inhibitory ones (particularly GABA), leading to slowed reaction times, impaired judgment, reduced coordination, and eventually sedation. TAM training emphasizes recognizing these progressive effects so servers can identify patrons who should be cut off before reaching dangerous levels of intoxication.
Question 4: What is the approximate rate at which an average person metabolizes alcohol?
- Two standard drinks per hour
- One standard drink per hour (Correct answer)
- Three standard drinks per hour
- Half a standard drink per hour
Correct answer: One standard drink per hour
The average human body metabolizes approximately one standard drink per hour, regardless of body size or tolerance level.
The body's metabolic rate for alcohol is approximately one standard drink (0.6 oz of pure alcohol) per hour. This rate is largely constant and cannot be accelerated by food, exercise, or other methods. This means if a patron consumes four drinks in one hour, it will take approximately four hours for the alcohol to be fully metabolized. TAM-certified servers use this knowledge to pace service and recognize when a patron's consumption rate exceeds their body's ability to process alcohol.
Question 5: Which factor does NOT significantly affect how quickly alcohol impacts an individual?
- Body weight
- Gender
- Hair color (Correct answer)
- Whether they have eaten food
Correct answer: Hair color
Hair color has no physiological connection to alcohol absorption or metabolism rates.
Several factors influence alcohol absorption and its effects: body weight and composition (more body mass generally means more dilution), gender (women typically have less water content and more body fat, leading to higher BAC from the same amount), food intake (food slows absorption), and rate of consumption. Hair color, however, has absolutely no impact on alcohol metabolism. TAM training teaches servers to consider legitimate factors when assessing a patron's likely intoxication level.
Question 6: What happens to alcohol absorption when a person drinks on an empty stomach?
- Absorption is significantly slower
- Absorption rate stays the same
- Absorption is significantly faster (Correct answer)
- Alcohol is not absorbed without food
Correct answer: Absorption is significantly faster
Without food in the stomach to slow the process, alcohol passes quickly into the small intestine where it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.
When the stomach is empty, alcohol moves quickly through the stomach and into the small intestine, where approximately 80% of absorption occurs. Food in the stomach, particularly protein and fat, slows gastric emptying and reduces the rate of alcohol absorption. This is why TAM training emphasizes that a patron who is drinking without eating may show signs of intoxication more quickly. Responsible servers should encourage food consumption alongside alcohol service.
TAM Card Alcohol's Effects on Body 2
At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does Nevada law consider a person legally impaired for driving?