TAM Health Effects & Public Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following beverages typically contains the highest percentage of alcohol by volume?
- Regular beer (5% ABV)
- Wine (12% ABV)
- Malt liquor (7% ABV)
- Distilled spirits (40% ABV) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Distilled spirits (40% ABV)
Distilled spirits such as whiskey, vodka, and rum typically contain around 40% alcohol by volume, far more than beer or wine.
Question 2: What is a 'standard drink' in the United States?
- Any size beverage ordered at a bar
- A drink containing 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol (Correct answer)
- A 16-ounce beer regardless of alcohol content
- A drink containing exactly 1 ounce of spirits
Correct answer: A drink containing 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol
A standard drink is defined as containing 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol, regardless of the beverage type.
Question 3: How does drinking on an empty stomach affect alcohol absorption?
- It slows absorption by diluting alcohol
- It has no effect on absorption rate
- It speeds up absorption, raising BAC faster (Correct answer)
- It prevents alcohol from entering the bloodstream
Correct answer: It speeds up absorption, raising BAC faster
Without food to slow gastric emptying, alcohol passes quickly into the small intestine, accelerating absorption and raising BAC more rapidly.
Question 4: Which public safety risk is most directly linked to alcohol impairment?
- Increased risk of sunburn
- Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents (Correct answer)
- Higher rates of insomnia
- Elevated risk of food allergies
Correct answer: Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
Alcohol impairs reaction time, judgment, and coordination, making motor vehicle accidents one of the most significant public safety consequences.
Question 5: What effect does alcohol have on a person's reaction time?
- It significantly improves reaction time
- It has no measurable effect on reaction time
- It slows reaction time, increasing accident risk (Correct answer)
- It only slows reaction time in people over age 50
Correct answer: It slows reaction time, increasing accident risk
Alcohol impairs the CNS, slowing neural signaling and measurably increasing reaction time even at relatively low BAC levels.
Question 6: Which of the following is a short-term physical effect of alcohol consumption?
- Decreased heart rate only
- Flushed skin and reduced inhibition (Correct answer)
- Permanent memory loss
- Improved night vision
Correct answer: Flushed skin and reduced inhibition
Short-term effects include flushed skin due to vasodilation and reduced inhibition from CNS depression.
Question 7: Why is it dangerous to allow a patron who is visibly intoxicated to 'sleep it off' alone?
- They may wake up and demand more alcohol
- They are at risk of choking on vomit or experiencing respiratory depression (Correct answer)
- Sleep accelerates BAC rise
- It is only dangerous if they are outdoors
Correct answer: They are at risk of choking on vomit or experiencing respiratory depression
Intoxicated individuals who fall unconscious can aspirate vomit or experience respiratory depression, both of which can be fatal without intervention.
TAM Health Effects & Public Safety 3
Which of the following beverages typically contains the highest percentage of alcohol by volume?