Facility Environment and Management Flashcards

What is the recommended number of air changes per hour (ACH) in a conventional laboratory animal room?

Answer: 15–20 ACH

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends 15–20 air changes per hour in conventional animal rooms to maintain air quality.

Which type of ventilated cage system draws air through a filter into the cage interior, creating a positive pressure environment relative to the room?

Answer: Individually ventilated cages (IVC) in supply mode

IVCs in supply (positive-pressure) mode push HEPA-filtered air into the cage, protecting immunocompromised animals from environmental pathogens.

A technician notices condensation forming on the interior walls of an animal room. This MOST likely indicates:

Answer: Relative humidity is too high

Condensation on walls indicates excessive relative humidity, which can promote microbial growth and must be corrected.

Under the Guide recommendations, what is the acceptable relative humidity (RH) range for most laboratory animal species?

Answer: 30–70%

The Guide recommends maintaining relative humidity between 30–70% to support animal health and comfort.

Which lighting schedule is commonly used for rodents to standardize circadian rhythms in a research setting?

Answer: 12 hours light / 12 hours dark

A 12:12 light-dark cycle is the standard photoperiod used for most laboratory rodents to regulate circadian biology.

What is the primary purpose of maintaining a positive-pressure corridor outside animal holding rooms in a barrier facility?

Answer: Keep contaminants from entering the clean animal rooms

Positive pressure in the corridor relative to rooms outside the barrier prevents unfiltered air from entering the clean zone.

A mouse room has an ammonia odor. Which management change would MOST directly address this problem?

Answer: Increase cage change frequency

Ammonia accumulates from urine breakdown; increasing cage change frequency reduces bedding saturation and ammonia buildup.