Laboratory Animal Technician
(LAT) Exam Questions and
Answers
U.S. Government provides approximately how much in research/development
funds spent by college and university? - ANSWER>>2/3
What information is important on grant applications to request funds? -
ANSWER>>Detailed description of research goals, scientific basis of study, and
review of relevant literature and all procedures to be performed
What is the difference between NIH & NSF? - ANSWER>>NIH: primary granting
agency: academia, federal agencies, biomedical research
NSF: Basic research in math, medicine, and biology
The USDA stands for what? - ANSWER>>United States Department of Agriculture
The USDA is responsible for what? - ANSWER>>Enforces and amends AWA
Auction, sale, exhibit, transport, breeding, or conduct of research with animals
Animals exempt from AWA
Research institutions mst register with
Supply annual reports
Inspection records through the FOIA
Unscheduled inspection once per year
What does the FOIA stand for? - ANSWER>>Freedom of Information Act -
provides the USDA's inspection records
,What is the Public Health Service Policy? - ANSWER>>Institutions which receive
funding from PHS and NIH must follow these guidelines, requires filing of an
Amimal Welfare Assurance document that demonstrates the institution is
following the Guid, PHS policy, AWA, and any other applicable laws
The FDA has many responsibilites including: - ANSWER>>Assures that new drugs
and medical devices are safe and effective before approved for use in humans
Monitors drug approval
Includes human, and veterinary drugs, food, and medical devices
Requires that effectiveness be demonstrated through well controlled
investigations
What is GLP? - ANSWER>>Good Laboratory Practices
Established in 1978 with implementation of laboratory audits and inspection
programs
Details requirements for QA and SOPs
What is the importance of importation and transportations regulations? -
ANSWER>>For the protection of humans and environment from potential disease
carrying organisms
Which agencies control importation? - ANSWER>>CDC, USDA, and US Fish &
Wildlife Service
Institutional polices are established for: - ANSWER>>facility operations
care and use procedures
veterinary support
physical plant
Standard operating procedures relate to: - ANSWER>>wall aspects of animal care
and support
personnel management
health surveillance of animals and personnel
,equipment
investigators
What are the functions of IACUCs and who mandates? - ANSWER>>mandated by
AWA, PHS policy, and the Guide
Review and approve protocols for animal use
Review animal use program and perform animal facilities inspections at least
every 6 months
What has to happen before animal research can begin? - ANSWER>>principal
investigator provides written details of how animals will be used in the research
project
IACUC must review all protocols using animals and must approve all protocols
before any animal research can begin
What does the IACUC determine? - ANSWER>>Can deny permission ro start a
project
can stop a research peoject
Ensures compliance with regulations
Reviews complete protocols at least every 3 years; reviews updates to protocols
yearly
What is the AAALAC, International? - ANSWER>>Association for Assessment and
Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International
Non-profit organization that provides a mechanism for peer review of animal care
and use programs by scientific community
Detailed application with information on facilities, procedures, programs, and
research animals to use
Annual report must be submitted to AAALAC on status of animal care program
Site inspection and program evaluation every 3 years
Why is it important to keep accurate, up-to-date records? - ANSWER>>Determine
if procedures are followed according to established standards
, Determine whether environmental controls are properly maintained
Improve facility efficiency and effectivness
What is PHS Policy? - ANSWER>>All assurance records related directly to grant
applications, research proposals, and changes of research activities > 3yrs after
completion
Centralized - ANSWER>>Serves all the institution's animal care needs; 1 director
for entire institution; All personnel associated with the animal facility; All other
purchases, per diem, depreciation, inventories, operational costs, and supplies
Decentralized - ANSWER>>Each department has own animal facility and operating
budget; each department has own animals, supplies, equipment and animal care
staffing
Direct costs - ANSWER>>Salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, supplies, and
operational exprenses (depend on # animals being housed)
Indirect Costs - ANSWER>>physical plant, energy costs, depreciation, heating
rooms
Cost Centers - ANSWER>>Cage washing, laboratory services
Why is cost accounting important? - ANSWER>>Individulal costs used for
projecting future cost; comparisons reveal areas in which costs can be reduced;
per diem components (expense to maintain 1 animal for 1 day)
Calculating per diem charges - ANSWER>>Internal direct costs are incurred for the
husbandry of animals and for other services provided by the animal facility for the
benefits of special projects
If total costs of maintaining a colony of cats is $27,375 over a 1 year period and
the average daily census is 25 cats, what is the per diem charge needed to recover
(LAT) Exam Questions and
Answers
U.S. Government provides approximately how much in research/development
funds spent by college and university? - ANSWER>>2/3
What information is important on grant applications to request funds? -
ANSWER>>Detailed description of research goals, scientific basis of study, and
review of relevant literature and all procedures to be performed
What is the difference between NIH & NSF? - ANSWER>>NIH: primary granting
agency: academia, federal agencies, biomedical research
NSF: Basic research in math, medicine, and biology
The USDA stands for what? - ANSWER>>United States Department of Agriculture
The USDA is responsible for what? - ANSWER>>Enforces and amends AWA
Auction, sale, exhibit, transport, breeding, or conduct of research with animals
Animals exempt from AWA
Research institutions mst register with
Supply annual reports
Inspection records through the FOIA
Unscheduled inspection once per year
What does the FOIA stand for? - ANSWER>>Freedom of Information Act -
provides the USDA's inspection records
,What is the Public Health Service Policy? - ANSWER>>Institutions which receive
funding from PHS and NIH must follow these guidelines, requires filing of an
Amimal Welfare Assurance document that demonstrates the institution is
following the Guid, PHS policy, AWA, and any other applicable laws
The FDA has many responsibilites including: - ANSWER>>Assures that new drugs
and medical devices are safe and effective before approved for use in humans
Monitors drug approval
Includes human, and veterinary drugs, food, and medical devices
Requires that effectiveness be demonstrated through well controlled
investigations
What is GLP? - ANSWER>>Good Laboratory Practices
Established in 1978 with implementation of laboratory audits and inspection
programs
Details requirements for QA and SOPs
What is the importance of importation and transportations regulations? -
ANSWER>>For the protection of humans and environment from potential disease
carrying organisms
Which agencies control importation? - ANSWER>>CDC, USDA, and US Fish &
Wildlife Service
Institutional polices are established for: - ANSWER>>facility operations
care and use procedures
veterinary support
physical plant
Standard operating procedures relate to: - ANSWER>>wall aspects of animal care
and support
personnel management
health surveillance of animals and personnel
,equipment
investigators
What are the functions of IACUCs and who mandates? - ANSWER>>mandated by
AWA, PHS policy, and the Guide
Review and approve protocols for animal use
Review animal use program and perform animal facilities inspections at least
every 6 months
What has to happen before animal research can begin? - ANSWER>>principal
investigator provides written details of how animals will be used in the research
project
IACUC must review all protocols using animals and must approve all protocols
before any animal research can begin
What does the IACUC determine? - ANSWER>>Can deny permission ro start a
project
can stop a research peoject
Ensures compliance with regulations
Reviews complete protocols at least every 3 years; reviews updates to protocols
yearly
What is the AAALAC, International? - ANSWER>>Association for Assessment and
Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International
Non-profit organization that provides a mechanism for peer review of animal care
and use programs by scientific community
Detailed application with information on facilities, procedures, programs, and
research animals to use
Annual report must be submitted to AAALAC on status of animal care program
Site inspection and program evaluation every 3 years
Why is it important to keep accurate, up-to-date records? - ANSWER>>Determine
if procedures are followed according to established standards
, Determine whether environmental controls are properly maintained
Improve facility efficiency and effectivness
What is PHS Policy? - ANSWER>>All assurance records related directly to grant
applications, research proposals, and changes of research activities > 3yrs after
completion
Centralized - ANSWER>>Serves all the institution's animal care needs; 1 director
for entire institution; All personnel associated with the animal facility; All other
purchases, per diem, depreciation, inventories, operational costs, and supplies
Decentralized - ANSWER>>Each department has own animal facility and operating
budget; each department has own animals, supplies, equipment and animal care
staffing
Direct costs - ANSWER>>Salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, supplies, and
operational exprenses (depend on # animals being housed)
Indirect Costs - ANSWER>>physical plant, energy costs, depreciation, heating
rooms
Cost Centers - ANSWER>>Cage washing, laboratory services
Why is cost accounting important? - ANSWER>>Individulal costs used for
projecting future cost; comparisons reveal areas in which costs can be reduced;
per diem components (expense to maintain 1 animal for 1 day)
Calculating per diem charges - ANSWER>>Internal direct costs are incurred for the
husbandry of animals and for other services provided by the animal facility for the
benefits of special projects
If total costs of maintaining a colony of cats is $27,375 over a 1 year period and
the average daily census is 25 cats, what is the per diem charge needed to recover
