Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What is a common use for a disinfectant in laboratory animal care?

1. Enhance animal growth

2. Reduce surface contamination

3. Improve water quality

4. Increase food palatability

The correct answer is: Reduce surface contamination

A common use for a disinfectant in laboratory animal care is to reduce surface contamination. Disinfectants are essential in maintaining a clean and sterile environment in animal facilities. By effectively killing or inactivating pathogens on surfaces, disinfectants help minimize the risk of infections among the animals and can prevent the spread of diseases. This practice is crucial for the health and well-being of the animals, as well as for the integrity of research conducted using these animals. The other options do not align with the primary purpose of disinfectants. Enhancing animal growth relates more to nutrition and environmental conditions. Improving water quality involves treatments and filters rather than disinfectants, and increasing food palatability is focused on animal dietary preferences, which are unrelated to the antimicrobial action of disinfectants. Thus, the main function of disinfectants is centered on reducing surface contamination to promote a safe living environment for laboratory animals.