Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What procedure is essential before newly received animals can participate in studies?

1. Immediate testing for diseases

2. Physical, psychological, and dietary adjustment

3. Establishment of a breeding schedule

4. Implementation of behavioral training

The correct answer is: Physical, psychological, and dietary adjustment

The procedure involving physical, psychological, and dietary adjustment is crucial before newly received animals can participate in studies. This adjustment period allows the animals to acclimatize to their new environment, which is vital for reducing stress and ensuring their well-being. When animals are transported to a new facility, they may experience changes in temperature, noise, social dynamics, and feeding practices that can affect their behavior and health. By providing an adjustment period, researchers help animals adapt physically by allowing them to stabilize their physiological states and become familiar with their surroundings. Psychologically, this time helps lower anxiety levels, which can be particularly important in ensuring that experimental results are reliable. Dietary adjustments are also necessary to align the animals' feeding schedules and types of food with what they will receive during the study, promoting overall health and normalizing their digestive routines. Other options, such as immediate disease testing, while significant for health monitoring, typically occur alongside or after acclimatization and do not address the comprehensive needs of the animals as they arrive. Establishing a breeding schedule can be relevant but is not a priority for animals entering a study. Similarly, behavioral training can enhance performance in specific tasks but is most effective after animals have acclimatized to their new setting. Thus, the holistic