- Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Facility Environment and Management Flashcards
6 cards from real ALAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Facility Environment and Management flashcards as text
What is a barrier facility and how does it differ from a conventional facility?
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
A barrier facility excludes defined pathogens through controlled entry (showering in, dedicated clothing), sterilized supplies (autoclaved cages, food, water), HEPA-filtered air, and strict SOPs. Conventional facilities maintain general cleanliness without specific pathogen exclusion.
What is the purpose of an emergency power system (generator) in an animal facility?
Answer: To maintain critical life support systems including ventilation, lighting, environmental controls, and automated watering during power outages
Emergency generators maintain critical systems during power outages: HVAC (ventilation, temperature, humidity), IVC rack blowers, automated watering systems, lighting for photoperiod, and monitoring/alarm systems.
How does a pass-through autoclave function in a barrier facility?
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
A pass-through autoclave is embedded in the barrier wall with a dirty-side door for loading and a clean-side door for unloading. The doors interlock (both cannot be open simultaneously) to maintain barrier integrity while sterilizing materials.
What monitoring systems are typically used to track environmental conditions in animal rooms?
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
Modern facilities use electronic monitoring systems with sensors for temperature, relative humidity, differential pressure, and sometimes light intensity and ammonia levels. These systems log data continuously, trigger alarms for deviations, and provide records for regulatory compliance.
What is the role of the cagewash quality assurance program?
Answer: To verify that washing cycles consistently achieve sanitization through temperature monitoring, visual inspection for residual soil, and periodic microbiological testing
Cagewash QA verifies consistent sanitization through: monitoring wash/rinse temperatures, visual inspection for residual organic matter, periodic microbiological swab testing of processed cages, and documentation of all parameters.
What considerations apply to the storage of laboratory animal feed in a facility?
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
Feed storage requirements: cool temperature (<70 F), dry environment, pest-proof room, elevated storage (pallets/shelves), first-in-first-out rotation, expiration date monitoring, and separation of diet types to prevent cross-contamination.