ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔Under what circumstance is the IV or IC injection of potassium chloride an
acceptable euthanasia method?
a) When other methods have failed
b) When used in combination with a barbiturate
c) If a catheter is used
d) If the animal is anesthetized - ✔✔d) If the animal is anesthetized
Source: AALAS Learning Library
Regulatory and IACUC Compliance Track > US Mandates and Guidelines > Euthanasia
of Research Animals: AVMA Guidelines
✔✔For which species is an adjunctive method of euthanasia is recommended to make
sure that the animal is dead because detection of heartbeat is difficult in these animals?
a) Fish
b) Amphibians
c) Small rodents
d) Nonhuman primates - ✔✔c) Small rodents
Source: AALAS Learning Library
Regulatory and IACUC Compliance Track > US Mandates and Guidelines > Euthanasia
of Research Animals: AVMA Guidelines"
✔✔Physical methods of euthanasia cause death through destruction of:
a) muscular activity in the body.
b) afferent pathways from the periphery to the brain.
c) chemical pathways in the heart muscle.
d) midbrain centers controlling respiratory and cardiac activity - ✔✔d) midbrain centers
controlling respiratory and cardiac activity.
Source: AALAS Learning Library
Regulatory and IACUC Compliance Track > US Mandates and Guidelines > Euthanasia
of Research Animals: AVMA Guidelines
✔✔A reflex movement during the euthanasia procedure indicates that the unconscious
animal is still experiencing pain.
a) True
b) False - ✔✔b) False
, Source: AALAS Learning Library
Regulatory and IACUC Compliance Track > US Mandates and Guidelines > Euthanasia
of Research Animals: AVMA Guidelines"
✔✔Which of the following statements is true of barbiturates?
a) Barbiturates cause the animal to gasp for air before becoming unconscious indicating
some pain and distress.
b) These drugs are extremely painful when administered outside the vein.
c) Barbiturates break down quickly in the body so that carcasses of animals in which
barbiturates were used for anesthesia do not represent a threat to predators which may
eat them.
d) Pentobarbital is a barbiturate that is not classified as a controlled substance. - ✔✔b)
These drugs are extremely painful when administered outside the vein.
Source: AALAS Learning Library
Regulatory and IACUC Compliance Track > US Mandates and Guidelines > Euthanasia
of Research Animals: AVMA Guidelines
✔✔Which of the following statements regarding physical methods of euthanasia is true?
a) There are few aesthetic considerations for this form of euthanasia.
b) Physical methods of euthanasia may be the most humane method for relieving pain
and suffering in some instances.
c) Physical methods of euthanasia always cause more distress for the animal.
d) Exsanguination, stunning, and pithing are acceptable physical methods of euthanasia
for horses and cattle. - ✔✔b) Physical methods of euthanasia may be the most humane
method for relieving pain and suffering in some instances.
Source: AALAS Learning Library
Regulatory and IACUC Compliance Track > US Mandates and Guidelines > Euthanasia
of Research Animals: AVMA Guidelines"
✔✔In special circumstances that may indicate a need to deviate from the AVMA
guidelines, what should be the deciding factor?
a) The cost of the procedure
b) The best interest of the animal
c) The decision of the IO
d) Expediency of the method - ✔✔b) The best interest of the animal
Source: AALAS Learning Library
Regulatory and IACUC Compliance Track > US Mandates and Guidelines > Euthanasia
of Research Animals: AVMA Guidelines"