ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Facility Environment and Management 2

Question 1

What is a barrier facility and how does it differ from a conventional facility?

Accepted Answer

A barrier facility maintains a defined pathogen-free environment through strict entry controls, sterilized supplies, and HEPA filtration, while conventional facilities have standard cleanliness without pathogen exclusion

Answer

A barrier facility has no doors

Answer

Barrier and conventional facilities are identical

Answer

A barrier facility houses only one species

Question 2

What is the purpose of an emergency power system (generator) in an animal facility?

Accepted Answer

To maintain critical life support systems including ventilation, lighting, environmental controls, and automated watering during power outages

Answer

Only to power office computers

Answer

Generators are optional for animal facilities

Answer

Only to power security cameras

Question 3

How does a pass-through autoclave function in a barrier facility?

Accepted Answer

It is built into the wall between the dirty and clean sides, with doors on both sides that interlock so materials enter dirty and exit sterile into the barrier

Answer

It is a regular autoclave placed in a hallway

Answer

It is a portable autoclave that moves between rooms

Answer

It sterilizes personnel before entry

Question 4

What monitoring systems are typically used to track environmental conditions in animal rooms?

Accepted Answer

Electronic systems with sensors measuring temperature, humidity, light levels, and pressure differentials, with alarms for out-of-range conditions and data logging for regulatory compliance

Answer

No monitoring is needed if the HVAC is modern

Answer

Only a mercury thermometer on the wall

Answer

Monitoring is only done during inspections

Question 5

What is the role of the cagewash quality assurance program?

Accepted Answer

To verify that washing cycles consistently achieve sanitization through temperature monitoring, visual inspection for residual soil, and periodic microbiological testing

Answer

There is no QA program for cagewash

Answer

QA is only needed for the autoclave

Answer

Visual cleanliness is the only criterion

Question 6

What considerations apply to the storage of laboratory animal feed in a facility?

Accepted Answer

Feed must be stored in a cool, dry, pest-proof area, off the floor on pallets or shelves, with FIFO rotation, within manufacturer expiration dates, and separated by diet type

Answer

Feed can be stored anywhere convenient

Answer

Feed storage requirements apply only to special diets

Answer

Feed is stored in animal rooms next to cages