Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which type of cage washer is best for cleaning many smaller items, such as rodent cages?

1. Batch washer

2. Tunnel washer

3. Cabinet washer

4. Sonicator

The correct answer is: Tunnel washer

The tunnel washer is particularly effective for cleaning many smaller items, such as rodent cages, due to its design that allows for continuous operation and high throughput. This type of washer uses a conveyor system where cages and other items are loaded at one end and exit clean at the other. The movement through various cleaning stages—prewash, wash, rinse, and drying—ensures a thorough and efficient cleaning process. The benefit of using a tunnel washer lies in its ability to handle multiple items simultaneously, which is crucial in facilities that require high volumes of sanitized cages quickly. The continuous flow minimizes downtime and enhances productivity, making it especially useful in a laboratory setting where time and sanitation are critical. In contrast, other options may not be as suitable for large quantities of smaller items. A batch washer is designed to clean items in discrete batches, which could lead to longer wait times for larger volumes compared to the continuous efficiency of a tunnel washer. A cabinet washer typically accommodates larger pieces or fewer items at a time, making it less effective for numerous small cages. Lastly, a sonicator is more suited for cleaning intricate or delicate items that require precise cleaning rather than general use with larger numbers of cages.