ALAT EXAM QUESTIOS AND ANSWERS
Name three types of institutions where an ALAT could work - Answer- public health
organizations, research and teaching institutions, pharmaceutical and biological product
companies
List the three levels of AALAS Technician Certification - Answer- Assistant Laboratory
Animal Technician, Laboratory Animal Technician, Laboratory Animal Technologist
Other than the ALAT Manual, name the publications you must read and study to
prepare for the exam - Answer- The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
What organization was formed in 1950 by Dr. Nathan Brewer and other veterinarians? -
Answer- Animal Care Panel
In 1967, the Animal Care Panel (ACP) changed its name to this - Answer- American
Association for Laboratory Animal Science
List the two journals that are published by AALAS - Answer- JAALAS ( Journal of the
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) Comparative Medicine
How do laboratory animal and research professional who are members of AALAS view
the use of animals in research? - Answer- As a privilege
What are two ways in which groups who oppose using animals in research express their
opinions? - Answer- distribute pamphlets, lead protest demonstrations
List five duties that are typically assigned to ALATs - Answer- cage cleaning, feed and
watering, environmental and animal monitoring, record maintenance, room sanitation,
public area maintenance, special assignments
Role of PI - Answer- Plans and coordinates all phases of the research work and
prepares the protocol
Role of Research Tech - Answer- Performs research tasks required by the protocol and
analyzes the data
Role of Lab Animal Vet - Answer- Coordinates animal care and advises investigators on
proper animal use
Role of Lab Animal Tech - Answer- Performs many animal care functions and monitors
environmental factors
Purpose of Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Answer- Primary source
of the standards and guidelines for laboratory animal care and use in the US
,Purpose of Animal use protocol - Answer- A document written by the PI and approved
by that IACUC that describes and justifies the use of animals for a project
Purpose of PHS policy - Answer- Federal mandate that covers all live vertebrates used
or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, or
for related purposes
Purpose of good laboratory practices - Answer- Regulations developed by the FDA and
the EPA to validate and document the process of safety testing
Purpose of standard operating procedure - Answer- Written instructions approved by
management and used to perform a routine activity
According to the Animal Welfare Act, list the three types of members who must sit on
the IACUC - Answer- the chair, a vet, a non-affiliated member
List five components of an animal care and use program for which the Guide describes
standards - Answer- personnel qualifications and training, occupational health and
safety, vet care, animal environment, animal procurement and transportation, surgical
and post surgical care alleviation of pain and distress, euthanasia, physical plant design
and construction
Which of the following animals used in laboratory animal research would be covered by
the Animal Welfare Act - Answer- Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, wild mice,
horses, gerbils, goats, sheep
The chapter lists some of the requirements in the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal
Welfare Regulations if covered species are used. List five requirements - Answer-
register with the USDA, appoint IACUC, provide training for animal users, maintain
animal records, provide adequate vet care
The appropriate use of analgesics in postsurgical animals would apply to which of the 3
Rs principles? - Answer- Refinement
According to the Guide and PHS Policy, what document must institutions comply with
when animals are euthanized? - Answer- AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia
List two common alternatives to using animals for research studies - Answer- Cell
cultures, mathematical models
Beyond food, water, shelter, and healthcare requirements, the AWA and AWRs require
that dogs have the opportunity for ______ and NHPS have ______ enrichment -
Answer- exercise; psychological
List three differences between the PHS Policy and the Animal Welfare act - Answer-
PHS policy covers all vertebrates used in research, PHS policy has some administrative
, differences in its IACUC requirements, PHS policy requires an Occ Health and Safety
program
Function of the IACUC - Answer- An institutional body that oversees and evaluates an
animal care and use program
Function of Quality Assurance Unit - Answer- An institution unit that ensures compliance
with the GLP
Function of Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service - Answer- The body that
administers and enforces the Animal Welfare Regulations
Function of Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal
Care International - Answer- A nonprofit organization that accredits laboratory animal
research programs
Function of Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare - Answer- The body that administers
and enforces the PHS policy
Using 100 mice in a research study instead of 150 would be an example of which of the
3 Rs? - Answer- Reduction
Some institutions may have to comply with PHS Policy but not animal welfare act. What
are the factors that help determine which regulations are relevant to a particular
research study - Answer- The species of animals used the funding sources
Purpose of disaster plan - Answer- Provides steps for disaster preparedness and
response
Purpose of emergency contact list - Answer- Identifies whom to call if an emergency
occurs
Purpose of disaster drill - Answer- Measures the effectiveness of institution-wide
emergency systems
Purpose of post-incident discussion - Answer- Identifies ways to improve the disaster
plan and emergency procedures
Purpose of security plan - Answer- Describes ways to prevent and address security
breaches
List two ways to maintain security when visitors come to the facility - Answer- Don't
admit anyone unless authorized; contact supervisor if someone approaches you and tell
them immediately
Name three types of institutions where an ALAT could work - Answer- public health
organizations, research and teaching institutions, pharmaceutical and biological product
companies
List the three levels of AALAS Technician Certification - Answer- Assistant Laboratory
Animal Technician, Laboratory Animal Technician, Laboratory Animal Technologist
Other than the ALAT Manual, name the publications you must read and study to
prepare for the exam - Answer- The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
What organization was formed in 1950 by Dr. Nathan Brewer and other veterinarians? -
Answer- Animal Care Panel
In 1967, the Animal Care Panel (ACP) changed its name to this - Answer- American
Association for Laboratory Animal Science
List the two journals that are published by AALAS - Answer- JAALAS ( Journal of the
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) Comparative Medicine
How do laboratory animal and research professional who are members of AALAS view
the use of animals in research? - Answer- As a privilege
What are two ways in which groups who oppose using animals in research express their
opinions? - Answer- distribute pamphlets, lead protest demonstrations
List five duties that are typically assigned to ALATs - Answer- cage cleaning, feed and
watering, environmental and animal monitoring, record maintenance, room sanitation,
public area maintenance, special assignments
Role of PI - Answer- Plans and coordinates all phases of the research work and
prepares the protocol
Role of Research Tech - Answer- Performs research tasks required by the protocol and
analyzes the data
Role of Lab Animal Vet - Answer- Coordinates animal care and advises investigators on
proper animal use
Role of Lab Animal Tech - Answer- Performs many animal care functions and monitors
environmental factors
Purpose of Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Answer- Primary source
of the standards and guidelines for laboratory animal care and use in the US
,Purpose of Animal use protocol - Answer- A document written by the PI and approved
by that IACUC that describes and justifies the use of animals for a project
Purpose of PHS policy - Answer- Federal mandate that covers all live vertebrates used
or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, or
for related purposes
Purpose of good laboratory practices - Answer- Regulations developed by the FDA and
the EPA to validate and document the process of safety testing
Purpose of standard operating procedure - Answer- Written instructions approved by
management and used to perform a routine activity
According to the Animal Welfare Act, list the three types of members who must sit on
the IACUC - Answer- the chair, a vet, a non-affiliated member
List five components of an animal care and use program for which the Guide describes
standards - Answer- personnel qualifications and training, occupational health and
safety, vet care, animal environment, animal procurement and transportation, surgical
and post surgical care alleviation of pain and distress, euthanasia, physical plant design
and construction
Which of the following animals used in laboratory animal research would be covered by
the Animal Welfare Act - Answer- Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, wild mice,
horses, gerbils, goats, sheep
The chapter lists some of the requirements in the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal
Welfare Regulations if covered species are used. List five requirements - Answer-
register with the USDA, appoint IACUC, provide training for animal users, maintain
animal records, provide adequate vet care
The appropriate use of analgesics in postsurgical animals would apply to which of the 3
Rs principles? - Answer- Refinement
According to the Guide and PHS Policy, what document must institutions comply with
when animals are euthanized? - Answer- AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia
List two common alternatives to using animals for research studies - Answer- Cell
cultures, mathematical models
Beyond food, water, shelter, and healthcare requirements, the AWA and AWRs require
that dogs have the opportunity for ______ and NHPS have ______ enrichment -
Answer- exercise; psychological
List three differences between the PHS Policy and the Animal Welfare act - Answer-
PHS policy covers all vertebrates used in research, PHS policy has some administrative
, differences in its IACUC requirements, PHS policy requires an Occ Health and Safety
program
Function of the IACUC - Answer- An institutional body that oversees and evaluates an
animal care and use program
Function of Quality Assurance Unit - Answer- An institution unit that ensures compliance
with the GLP
Function of Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service - Answer- The body that
administers and enforces the Animal Welfare Regulations
Function of Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal
Care International - Answer- A nonprofit organization that accredits laboratory animal
research programs
Function of Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare - Answer- The body that administers
and enforces the PHS policy
Using 100 mice in a research study instead of 150 would be an example of which of the
3 Rs? - Answer- Reduction
Some institutions may have to comply with PHS Policy but not animal welfare act. What
are the factors that help determine which regulations are relevant to a particular
research study - Answer- The species of animals used the funding sources
Purpose of disaster plan - Answer- Provides steps for disaster preparedness and
response
Purpose of emergency contact list - Answer- Identifies whom to call if an emergency
occurs
Purpose of disaster drill - Answer- Measures the effectiveness of institution-wide
emergency systems
Purpose of post-incident discussion - Answer- Identifies ways to improve the disaster
plan and emergency procedures
Purpose of security plan - Answer- Describes ways to prevent and address security
breaches
List two ways to maintain security when visitors come to the facility - Answer- Don't
admit anyone unless authorized; contact supervisor if someone approaches you and tell
them immediately
