ALAT Role and Responsibilities 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An ALAT discovers that cage cards for a mouse colony have not been updated in three days. What is the priority action?
- Update the cards immediately using the most recent observations and notify the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Leave the cards until the weekly audit
- Ask the principal investigator to update them since it is their study
- Delete the outdated entries to avoid confusion
Correct answer: Update the cards immediately using the most recent observations and notify the supervisor
Accurate, current cage cards are essential for animal identification, dosing safety, and regulatory compliance, so immediate correction with supervisory notification is required.
Question 2: Which of the following situations would require an ALAT to invoke the facility's 'chain of command' reporting structure?
- Ordering more bedding for the stockroom
- Discovering an animal with an unexplained severe injury or unexpected death (Correct answer)
- Scheduling routine cage changes for the week
- Preparing fresh water for water bottles
Correct answer: Discovering an animal with an unexplained severe injury or unexpected death
Unexpected illness, injury, or death must be escalated immediately through the chain of command so veterinary staff can evaluate and document the finding.
Question 3: Professional development through continuing education is a responsibility of the ALAT because:
- It is required to maintain AALAS certification and to keep skills current with evolving best practices (Correct answer)
- It earns the ALAT the authority to approve animal protocols
- It replaces the need for on-the-job supervision
- It is entirely optional and has no impact on certification status
Correct answer: It is required to maintain AALAS certification and to keep skills current with evolving best practices
AALAS certification renewal requires continuing education credits, and ongoing learning ensures technicians practice according to current standards.
Question 4: An ALAT is assigned to a new species they have never worked with before. Before handling the animals, they should FIRST:
- Review the species-specific SOP and receive hands-on training under supervision (Correct answer)
- Handle the animals using restraint techniques learned for a similar species
- Ask a fellow ALAT to watch and correct any mistakes in real time
- Consult a general animal care textbook and proceed independently
Correct answer: Review the species-specific SOP and receive hands-on training under supervision
Species-specific SOPs and supervised training are required before independent handling to protect both the animals and the technician.
Question 5: When an ALAT identifies a potential zoonotic health risk in the animal room, the correct immediate action is to:
- Continue working and note it in the next daily log
- Exit the area, report to the supervisor and occupational health program, and follow facility biosafety protocols (Correct answer)
- Notify only the principal investigator and await instructions
- Post a handwritten warning sign on the door and proceed with work
Correct answer: Exit the area, report to the supervisor and occupational health program, and follow facility biosafety protocols
Zoonotic risks require immediate reporting to supervisors and the occupational health program so that proper containment and personnel protection measures are activated.
Question 6: The 'Three Rs' principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine) is relevant to the ALAT's daily responsibilities in that the ALAT should:
- Advocate to eliminate all animal research within the institution
- Support refinement by using techniques that minimize pain and distress in animals under their care (Correct answer)
- Replace all animals with computer models whenever possible without consulting the PI
- Reduce colony sizes independently to lower animal use numbers
Correct answer: Support refinement by using techniques that minimize pain and distress in animals under their care
ALATs contribute to the Three Rs primarily through Refinement—applying humane handling, enrichment, and care techniques that minimize animal pain and distress.
Question 7: If an ALAT is approached by a person they do not recognize who claims to be a new researcher and requests access to the animal rooms, the ALAT should:
- Grant access as a courtesy since the person seems knowledgeable
- Direct the individual to the facility manager or supervisor to verify credentials and authorization (Correct answer)
- Allow supervised access for a brief tour without formal verification
- Call the IACUC office immediately and deny all communication with the individual
Correct answer: Direct the individual to the facility manager or supervisor to verify credentials and authorization
Access to animal facilities is restricted to authorized personnel; unverified individuals must be directed to management for proper credentialing.
ALAT Role and Responsibilities 5
An ALAT discovers that cage cards for a mouse colony have not been updated in three days.
What is the priority action?