Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What type of drugs are aimed at reducing swelling, redness, and pain?

1. Antibiotics

2. Opioids

3. Analgesics

4. Anti-inflammatory drugs

The correct answer is: Anti-inflammatory drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs are specifically designed to alleviate symptoms associated with inflammation, which includes swelling, redness, and pain. These medications work by targeting the underlying processes that contribute to inflammation, helping to reduce the body's inflammatory response. This can involve inhibiting the production of certain chemicals in the body, such as prostaglandins, that are responsible for causing pain and swelling. For instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin are commonly used anti-inflammatory medications that not only mitigate pain but also reduce fever and swelling. This makes them particularly effective in treating conditions like arthritis or injury-related inflammation. Understanding the role of anti-inflammatory drugs is crucial in laboratory animal care and research, as managing pain and inflammation is essential for the welfare of the animals. This encompasses both the ethical treatment of the animals and the scientific integrity of research results, as untreated pain and inflammation can affect animal behavior and physiology.