ALAT Facility Operations and Sanitation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a dirty-to-clean workflow in an animal facility?
- To reduce the number of staff required
- To prevent cross-contamination from soiled materials to clean areas (Correct answer)
- To speed up cage-changing procedures
- To comply with OSHA noise regulations
Correct answer: To prevent cross-contamination from soiled materials to clean areas
Dirty-to-clean workflow ensures that soiled caging and bedding move in one direction, preventing transfer of pathogens to sanitized equipment.
Question 2: Which temperature range is generally recommended for autoclave sterilization of animal facility equipment?
- 100°C for 30 minutes
- 121°C for 15-20 minutes at 15 psi (Correct answer)
- 150°C for 5 minutes
- 80°C for 60 minutes
Correct answer: 121°C for 15-20 minutes at 15 psi
Standard gravity-cycle autoclaving at 121°C (250°F) for 15-20 minutes at 15 psi is the accepted standard for sterilizing laboratory animal facility equipment.
Question 3: What does the term 'macroenvironment' refer to in an animal facility context?
- The conditions inside the animal's primary enclosure
- The conditions of the room surrounding the caging (Correct answer)
- The outdoor climate affecting the building
- The bedding microbiome
Correct answer: The conditions of the room surrounding the caging
The macroenvironment refers to the conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality) in the room or secondary housing space surrounding the primary enclosures.
Question 4: When should cage wash equipment such as tunnel washers be validated for cleaning efficacy?
- Only when a new machine is installed
- Annually and after any major repair or modification (Correct answer)
- Every five years per EPA guidelines
- Only if animals become ill
Correct answer: Annually and after any major repair or modification
Cage washers should be validated upon installation and re-validated annually or after significant repairs to ensure consistent sanitization performance.
Question 5: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is most critical when handling chemical disinfectants in an animal facility?
- Steel-toed boots only
- Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection (Correct answer)
- Disposable lab coat only
- Hearing protection
Correct answer: Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection
Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection are essential to protect against splashes and dermal exposure when handling disinfectants.
Question 6: What is the recommended minimum number of air changes per hour (ACH) in a conventional laboratory animal room?
- 5 ACH
- 10-15 ACH (Correct answer)
- 25 ACH
- 50 ACH
Correct answer: 10-15 ACH
The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends 10-15 air changes per hour in conventional animal rooms to control odors and maintain air quality.
Question 7: Which method is used to confirm that an autoclave reached adequate sterilization conditions?
- Visual inspection of the load color
- Biological indicators using spore strips (Correct answer)
- Checking room temperature with a thermometer
- Weighing the load before and after
Correct answer: Biological indicators using spore strips
Biological indicators containing resistant bacterial spores (e.g., Geobacillus stearothermophilus) are the gold standard for confirming sterilization efficacy.
ALAT Facility Operations and Sanitation 4
What is the primary purpose of a dirty-to-clean workflow in an animal facility?