ALAT EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED

Name three types of institutions where an ALAT could work - ANSWER-public health organizations, research and teaching institutions, pharmaceutical and biological product companies List the three levels of AALAS Technician Certification - ANSWER-Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician, Laboratory Animal Technician, Laboratory Animal Technologist Other than the ALAT Manual, name the publications you must read and study to prepare for the exam - ANSWER-The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals What organization was formed in 1950 by Dr. Nathan Brewer and other veterinarians? - ANSWER-Animal Care Panel In 1967, the Animal Care Panel (ACP) changed its name to this - ANSWER-American Association for Laboratory Animal Science List the two journals that are published by AALAS - ANSWER-JAALAS ( Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) Comparative Medicine How do laboratory animal and research professional who are members of AALAS view the use of animals in research? - ANSWER-As a privilege What are two ways in which groups who oppose using animals in research express their opinions? - ANSWER-distribute pamphlets, lead protest demonstrations List five duties that are typically assigned to ALATs - ANSWER-cage cleaning, feed and watering, environmental and animal monitoring, record maintenance, room sanitation, public area maintenance, special assignments Role of PI - ANSWER-Plans and coordinates all phases of the research work and prepares the protocol Role of Research Tech - ANSWER-Performs research tasks required by the protocol and analyzes the data Role of Lab Animal Vet - ANSWER-Coordinates animal care and advises investigators on proper animal use Role of Lab Animal Tech - ANSWER-Performs many animal care functions and monitors environmental factors Purpose of Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - ANSWER-Primary source of the standards and guidelines for laboratory animal care and use in the US Purpose of Animal use protocol - ANSWER-A document written by the PI and approved by that IACUC that describes and justifies the use of animals for a project Purpose of PHS policy - ANSWER-Federal mandate that covers all live vertebrates used or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, or for related purposes Purpose of good laboratory practices - ANSWER-Regulations developed by the FDA and the EPA to validate and document the process of safety testing Purpose of standard operating procedure - ANSWER-Written instructions approved by management and used to perform a routine activity According to the Animal Welfare Act, list the three types of members who must sit on the IACUC - ANSWER-the chair, a vet, a non-affiliated member List five components of an animal care and use program for which the Guide describes standards - ANSWER-personnel qualifications and training, occupational health and safety, vet care, animal environment, animal procurement and transportation, surgical and post surgical care alleviation of pain and distress, euthanasia, physical plant design and construction Which of the following animals used in laboratory animal research would be covered by the Animal Welfare Act - ANSWER-Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, wild mice, horses, gerbils, goats, sheep The chapter lists some of the requirements in the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Regulations if covered species are used. List five requirements - ANSWER-register with the USDA, appoint IACUC, provide training for animal users, maintain animal records, provide adequate vet care The appropriate use of analgesics in postsurgical animals would apply to which of the 3 Rs principles? - ANSWER-Refinement According to the Guide and PHS Policy, what document must institutions comply with when animals are euthanized? - ANSWER-AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia List two common alternatives to using animals for research studies - ANSWER-Cell cultures, mathematical models Beyond food, water, shelter, and healthcare requirements, the AWA and AWRs require that dogs have the opportunity for ______ and NHPS have ______ enrichment - ANSWER-exercise; psychological List three differences between the PHS Policy and the Animal Welfare act - ANSWER-PHS policy covers all vertebrates used in research, PHS policy has some administrative differences in its IACUC requirements, PHS policy requires an Occ Health and Safety program Function of the IACUC - ANSWER-An institutional body that oversees and evaluates an animal care and use program Function of Quality Assurance Unit - ANSWER-An institution unit that ensures compliance with the GLP Function of Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service - ANSWER-The body that administers and enforces the Animal Welfare Regulations Function of Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International - ANSWER-A nonprofit organization that accredits laboratory animal research programs Function of Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare - ANSWER-The body that administers and enforces the PHS policy Using 100 mice in a research study instead of 150 would be an example of which of the 3 Rs? - ANSWER-Reduction Some institutions may have to comply with PHS Policy but not animal welfare act. What are the factors that help determine which regulations are relevant to a particular research study - ANSWER-The species of animals used the funding sources Purpose of disaster plan - ANSWER-Provides steps for disaster preparedness and response Purpose of emergency contact list - ANSWER-Identifies whom to call if an emergency occurs Purpose of disaster drill - ANSWER-Measures the effectiveness of institution-wide emergency systems Purpose of post-incident discussion - ANSWER-Identifies ways to improve the disaster plan and emergency procedures Purpose of security plan - ANSWER-Describes ways to prevent and address security breaches List two ways to maintain security when visitors come to the facility - ANSWER-Don't admit anyone unless authorized; contact supervisor if someone approaches you and tell them immediately List three steps to prevent security breaches - ANSWER-never prop open any doors leading to the outside; do not let people "piggyback"; display badge; don't let anyone borrow your badge What type of device identifies individuals using distinct characteristics such as fingerprints or eye structure - ANSWER-Biometric scanners If you are present in the facility when a major disaster or accident occurs, your actions will be very important. What should be your first priority? - ANSWER-Protect human life by calling out to others and evacuating if necessary, call the appropriate first responders, call your supervisor or other senior staff What document should be posted throughout the facility, and is consulted and used when there is an emergency - ANSWER-Contact list List four questions you should be ready to answer when you report a disaster or incident at your facility - ANSWER-Where did the incident occur; which areas are affected; is there a power loss; is everybody accounted for What is the goal of an occupational health and safety program? - ANSWER-To minimize the risk of occupational injuries for all employees Name the federal agency that enforces rules and standards for workplace safety - ANSWER-Occupational Safety and Health Administration Should a pregnant employee be assigned to work with cats? - ANSWER-No, cats carry the microbes that cause toxoplasmosis, which can harm the fetus List three things that determine the type of PPE needed when working in the facility - ANSWER-animal species, the hazards present, the potential for exposure to infectious or chemical agents List three important factors for personal protection against radiation - ANSWER-time, shielding, distance Virus carried by Old World macaque monkeys - ANSWER-B virus Disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans - ANSWER-Zoonoses Emission of energy rays through the air and other matter - ANSWER-Radioactivity Parasite that can be transmitted through cat feces - ANSWER-Toxoplasma gondii A unit that measures loudness - ANSWER-decibel Provides information on toxicity and potential side effects, and describes recommended treatment for exposures - ANSWER-Material safety data sheets Designing a workplace to minimize fatigue, discomfort or injury - ANSWER-Ergonomics Respirator mask that protects against airborne particles - ANSWER-N95 Hazard of assisting the PI with obtaining x-rays of mice - ANSWER-Radiation exposure Hazard of using descaler to clean dropoing pans - ANSWER-Burns from chemicals Hazard of feeding barking dogs - ANSWER-Hearing problems Hazard of cleaning instruments after injections or surgery have been performed - ANSWER-cuts or punctures hazards of opening an autoclave to remove instruments - ANSWER-burns from steam hazards of changing cages on a daily basis - ANSWER-repetitive motion injury disease carried by NHP - ANSWER-B virus disease carried by sheep - ANSWER-Q-fever disease carried by cats - ANSWER-toxoplasmosis disease carried by macaque monkey - ANSWER-tuberculosis What is the first step to take if a dog bites your hand and the skin is broken - ANSWER-Get first aid for the injury What helps to ensure that the data collected are nit influenced by factors related to animal management - ANSWER-consistency To whom is the Animal Welfare Assurance of Compliance submitted? - ANSWER-Office of laboratory animal welfare Who administers the Animal Welfare Regulations - ANSWER-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) How often must IACUC perform inspections of the facility - ANSWER-every 2 years records of the USDA inspection are available to the public under a provision of which federal law - ANSWER-Freedom of information act Which statement is true regarding the facilitys disaster plan - ANSWER-hallways and other walkways should be kept clear and free of equipment in case of an emergency Which situation would not be necessary to report to your supervisor - ANSWER-A new employee working on another project asking about your work Above what level is noise considered a hazard to your hearing - ANSWER-85 decibels List the three most common types of cage washers used in today's animal facilities - ANSWER-tunnel washer, rack washer, cabinet washer How does a RODAC plate test the effectiveness of a sanitization program? - ANSWER-It can be inoculated with a sample taken from the environment and incubated. Then, any growth of microorganisms can be observed List two reasons that automatic watering systems are often used to provide drinking water for laboratory animals - ANSWER-to provide filter system for the water, eliminate ergonomic hazards of handling water bottles, eliminate the labor of washing and sanitize the water bottles What features of a biological safety cabinet protect the animals inside - ANSWER-A HEPA filter, or HEPA-filtered air blown into the cabinet How does a biological safety cabinet protect the people using it from any pathogens or allergens the animals inside of it may have - ANSWER-The air within the cabinet does not exit through the front opening; the cabinet air is filtered through a HEPA filter before it is exhausted into the room What is one dangerous outcome of autoclaving a liquid bottle that it tightly sealed and filled to the top - ANSWER-The liquid could expand and cause the container to explode What three characteristics of material affect autoclave time - ANSWER-type of material, size of material, level of contamination of the material Methods used to check effectiveness of autoclave cycle - ANSWER-Chemical-autoclave tape, integrator strips, and indicator bags Biological- spore strips Mechanical- checking gauges on the autoclave Sterilizes instruments, equipment, and glass items using superheated steam and pressure - ANSWER-Autoclave Burns material such as animal tissue, trash - ANSWER-Incinerator Uses a sliding beam and weighing platform to determine weights - ANSWER-Balance protects the user from exposure to pathogenic microorganisms - ANSWER-Class III BSC Protects the user from chemical fumes - ANSWER-Fume hood What two features of a cage dumping station help protect the technician during cage changing - ANSWER-the air circulating fan and HEPA filter What chemicals are often added to animals' drinking water to reduce bacterial contamination - ANSWER-Acid and chlorine What is the primary reason that dirty cages and other soiled equipment should be taken to the cage wash area for cleaning instead of being hand cleaned in the animal room - ANSWER-Airborne dust and microorganisms can contaminate the animal room environment To prevent animals from becoming dehydrated or even dying, what should the tech always do after cage racks with auto water are moved or changed - ANSWER-Reconnect the water line What type of cage washer is best used for cleaning larger pieces of equipment such as bulk carts and cage racks - ANSWER-rack washer What is superheated steam - ANSWER-steam that is able to be heated above its normal temp of 212 F because it is maintained at a higher pressure What type of microisolation cage is not mechanically ventilated? How is this type of cage ventilated? - ANSWER-static microisolation cages. A filtered lid allows passive air exchange into and out of the cage Why is feed offered in more than one location for group-house animals - ANSWER-because dominant animals may hoard feed List two special requirements for cat housing - ANSWER-raised resting surface and clean fresh litter pans List two species most commonly found in aquatic cages in a lab setting - ANSWER-Xenopus laevis (african clawed frog) zebrafish List four types of plastic used to manufacture small animal caging systems - ANSWER-polystyrene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone What are five parameters that determine the necessary size of a primary enclosure - ANSWER-experimental requirements, animal's body weight, animal's vertical height or length, animal's exercise requirements, animal's enrichment needs Metabolism cages are most commonly used with which of the following types of lab animals - ANSWER-rodents what are 2 types of research studies that use biocontainment caging systems for the animals - ANSWER-infectious disease studies, tox studies Squeeze cages are used for what species - ANSWER-NHP What type of caging is the term "jump box" used to describe - ANSWER-transfer cage List three reasons animal rooms must be properly ventilated - ANSWER-prevent accumulation of waste gases, maintain temps, maintain humidity, reduce accumulation of airborne microorganism Which of the following waste gases are prevented from accumulation when animal rooms are properly ventilated - ANSWER-ammonia and carbon dioxide Negative effects on animals if daily light schedule is changed - ANSWER-stress, changes in animal physiology that could affect the research, decreased breeding efficiency list the four most common types/groups of microorganisms found in the AF - ANSWER-bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa Name three processes used to either remove or kill microorganisms - ANSWER-disinfection, sanitization, sterilization Why must you remove organic matter such as hair, saliva, urine, and feces before disinfecting a surface - ANSWER-Some sanitizing chemicals are inactivated in the presence of organic matter, or encrusted matter may trap and shield microorganisms from contact with sanitizers What document provides info on how to handle or safely work with a substance - ANSWER-the material safety data sheet (MSDS) List three methods of sanitization - ANSWER-irradiation, dry heat sterilization, exposure to ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide gas, autoclave, chemical sterilants kills bacteria - ANSWER-bacteriocidal inhibits the growth of bacteria - ANSWER-bacteriostatic inhibits the growth of viruses - ANSWER-virostatic kills viruses - ANSWER-virucidal What is the term for a bacteria that has formed a tough outer coat for protection against harsh environmental conditions - ANSWER-A spore Five components of food that are known as nutrients - ANSWER-proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins, minerals What is the difference between an essential nutrient and a nonessential nutrient - ANSWER-essential nutrients are those an animal cannot produce within its body and must be supplied in the diet. Non-essential nutrients are produced through normal body metabolism In AF, what is usually added to animals' drinking water to prevent the growth of pseudomonas aeruginose - ANSWER-acid what is the indigestible form of carbohydrate that provides no energy called - ANSWER-fiber what are the two types of molecules that join together to make up carbs - ANSWER-sugar and starch molecules the main function of body fat is - ANSWER-to provide energy A deficiency can lead to anemia - ANSWER-iron electrolytes - ANSWER-sodium and chloride fat soluble vitamins - ANSWER-A,D, E, and K cannot be synthesized by NHPs or guinea pigs - ANSWER-vitamin c deficiency can lead to thinning of the bones - ANSWER-calcium why must water-soluble vitamins be supplied to an animal on a daily basis - ANSWER-they are not easily stored by the body where in the body are the fat-soluble vitamins stored - ANSWER-liver what is the type of tissue that stores and metabolizes fat called - ANSWER-adipose tissue which animals have multi-compartmentalized stomachs that can digest some fiber - ANSWER-ruminants what does the term NPO mean - ANSWER-nothing by mouth two species that are no fasted prior to surgery - ANSWER-rodents and rabbits what does environmenttal enrichment provide laboratory animals the opportunity to do - ANSWER-have some variety and engage in species-specific behaviors name the tow main categories of bedding - ANSWER-direct and indirect what is the one piece of info that must be on every cage card if the animals are in a research study - ANSWER-the IACUC protocol number what document specifies minimum cage space requirmentsd - ANSWER-the guide The reduction of the number if microorganisms on a surface or object - ANSWER-sanitization if a chemical ends in "-cide" what kind of chemical is it - ANSWER-a disinfectant what type of cage washer is best used for cleaning large numbers of smaller pieces of equipment such as rodent cages, or feed bowls - ANSWER-tunnel washer what is the most sensitive method to monitor autoclave effectiveness - ANSWER-using a biological indicator which biosafety cabinets are known as "glove boxes" - ANSWER-class III cleaning assessment using a RODAC plate involves - ANSWER-a microbial growth in a nutrient medium which equipment is often used on a loading dock to decontaminate items such as bags of feed and bedding - ANSWER-a mister in an automated watering system, what device mechanically lowers the water pressure for delivery to the individual cages? - ANSWER-a pressure reducing station what can happen if a drinking valve in a rodent cage remains stuck in the open position - ANSWER-the cage could flow how does a laminar flow cabinet protect the worker who is changing a cage - ANSWER-air in the cabinet does not exit out the front