ALAT Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals 5

Question 1

Which of the following best describes 'balanced anesthesia' in laboratory animal medicine?

Accepted Answer

Combining multiple agents to achieve analgesia, muscle relaxation, and unconsciousness

Answer

Balanced anesthesia uses multiple drugs targeting different pathways to reduce individual drug doses and side effects.

Question 2

An IACUC protocol requires refinement of anesthetic procedures. Which of the following changes would be considered a refinement?

Accepted Answer

Replacing injectable anesthesia with inhalant anesthesia for shorter procedures

Answer

Switching to inhalant anesthesia for short procedures allows rapid recovery and titration, improving animal welfare.

Question 3

Which drug is commonly used to reverse the sedative and cardiovascular effects of xylazine in laboratory animals?

Accepted Answer

Atipamezole

Answer

Atipamezole is a selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist that effectively reverses xylazine's effects.

Question 4

A guinea pig undergoing surgery under ketamine/xylazine anesthesia begins showing signs of a light anesthetic plane. Which of the following is the SAFEST supplemental agent to administer?

Accepted Answer

Isoflurane via mask at 1–2%

Answer

Supplementing injectable anesthesia with low-concentration isoflurane allows titrated depth control with rapid adjustment.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a pre-anesthetic fast in laboratory rabbits?

Accepted Answer

To reduce intestinal gas and improve respiration

Answer

Rabbits cannot vomit, so fasting is done to reduce GI gas that can impair diaphragm movement and ventilation, not to prevent aspiration.

ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Practice Test

ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Practice Test

ALAT Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals 5