ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Animal Husbandry and Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended relative humidity range for most laboratory rodent housing areas?
- 20–30%
- 30–70% (Correct answer)
- 75–85%
- 90–100%
Correct answer: 30–70%
A relative humidity of 30–70% is the accepted standard for most laboratory rodent facilities. Levels below 30% can cause ringtail in rats and mice, while levels above 70% promote microbial growth and respiratory disease.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the purpose of an environmental enrichment program for laboratory mice?
- To increase the number of animals housed per cage
- To reduce the cost of bedding materials
- To promote species-typical behaviors and reduce stress (Correct answer)
- To simplify the cage change process for technicians
Correct answer: To promote species-typical behaviors and reduce stress
Environmental enrichment provides objects and opportunities that allow animals to express natural behaviors such as nesting, burrowing, and hiding. This reduces stress-related behaviors and improves animal welfare, which also supports more reproducible research outcomes.
Question 3: How often should automatic watering systems in rodent housing rooms typically be checked by animal care staff?
- Once a month
- Once a week
- Daily (Correct answer)
- Only when an animal appears dehydrated
Correct answer: Daily
Automatic watering systems should be inspected daily to confirm that valves are functioning, lines are not blocked, and animals have continuous access to water. A malfunctioning valve may deprive animals of water for hours without obvious external signs.
Question 4: When changing soiled bedding in a rabbit cage, which material property is most important to verify before use?
- The bedding is pre-moistened to prevent dust
- The bedding is free of aromatic oils and chemical treatments (Correct answer)
- The bedding is brightly colored for easy identification
- The bedding has a fine particle size for burrowing
Correct answer: The bedding is free of aromatic oils and chemical treatments
Cedar and pine shavings contain aromatic hydrocarbons that induce hepatic enzymes and can alter drug metabolism, compromising research data and harming animal health. Bedding must be confirmed free of such chemical treatments before use with laboratory animals.
Question 5: A technician notices that a group-housed rat has a bite wound on its flank. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Leave the animal in the group and monitor for 48 hours before reporting
- Remove the injured animal, provide first aid per institutional protocol, and notify the veterinary staff (Correct answer)
- Separate all animals in the cage into individual housing without documentation
- Increase the food supply in the cage to reduce competition
Correct answer: Remove the injured animal, provide first aid per institutional protocol, and notify the veterinary staff
An injured animal must be removed from the group promptly to prevent further attack and to receive appropriate veterinary care. Documenting the injury and notifying veterinary staff ensures proper treatment and allows the veterinarian to assess whether the wound requires medical intervention.
Question 6: What is the primary reason laboratory animal facilities use a light cycle timer to maintain a fixed photoperiod?
- To reduce electricity costs during peak hours
- To synchronize reproductive and physiological cycles and maintain consistent research conditions (Correct answer)
- To allow technicians to work in darkness for noise reduction
- To prevent animals from becoming nocturnal
Correct answer: To synchronize reproductive and physiological cycles and maintain consistent research conditions
Many physiological processes in rodents — including hormone secretion, reproductive cycling, and behavior — are regulated by circadian rhythms tied to the light-dark cycle. A consistent, controlled photoperiod reduces variability in experimental data and maintains normal animal physiology.
ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Animal Husbandry and Care 1
What is the recommended relative humidity range for most laboratory rodent housing areas?