Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What does the Quality Assurance Unit ensure compliance with?

1. Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)

2. Annual training requirements

3. Animal housing standards

4. Research funding allocations

The correct answer is: Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)

The Quality Assurance Unit plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and reliability of laboratory operations by ensuring compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). GLP encompasses a set of principles that govern the planning, conduct, performance, monitoring, recording, reporting, and quality assurance of laboratory studies. This framework is essential for ensuring that studies are scientifically sound and that the data generated is trustworthy, particularly in the context of non-clinical laboratory studies. Compliance with GLP helps protect the health and safety of the public and the environment by providing assurance that any testing or research conducted does not have adverse implications. While annual training requirements and animal housing standards are important components of laboratory operations and animal care, they are generally governed by other regulatory frameworks and guidelines rather than being the primary focus of the Quality Assurance Unit. Research funding allocations, on the other hand, relate to financial management and grant distribution, which do not directly fall under the compliance scope of a Quality Assurance Unit. Thus, the primary responsibility of the Quality Assurance Unit aligns effectively with ensuring compliance with Good Laboratory Practices.