ACLAM flashcards
ACLAM · Build recall with a focused review session.
33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Sentinel animal program
- A colony of known-health animals housed to detect pathogens; results inform colony health status and guide quarantine or rederivation decisions.
- Ventilated cage systems
- Housing that supplies filtered air to each cage, reducing ammonia and cross-contamination; often allows longer cage-change intervals than static caging.
- Per diem rate
- The daily charge per animal or cage that funds husbandry, veterinary care, and facility operations; based on census and cost analysis.
- Rederivation
- A procedure using embryo transfer or cesarean hysterectomy to produce pathogen-free offspring from an infected or contaminated breeding colony.
- Barrier facility
- A housing area with restricted access, PPE requirements, and controlled traffic designed to prevent introduction of pathogens into the colony.
- Acclimation period
- Time allowed after animal arrival or transport before experimental procedures begin, permitting physiologic stabilization and health observation.
- Body condition score
- A palpation-based scale, typically 1 to 5, used to assess fat and muscle mass; detects chronic wasting better than weight alone.
- Multimodal analgesia
- Use of two or more analgesic classes, such as an opioid plus an NSAID, to improve pain control through complementary mechanisms.
- Moribund animal
- An animal unable to right itself, eat, or drink; considered a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary evaluation and possible euthanasia.
- Humane endpoint
- Objective criteria, such as weight loss or tumor size, that trigger intervention or euthanasia to prevent unnecessary suffering.
- Pedal withdrawal reflex
- A response to toe pinch used to assess anesthetic depth; absence indicates adequate surgical anesthesia when combined with other signs.
- Post-operative hypothermia
- A common early complication of anesthesia and surgery; managed with warmed bedding, fluids, and monitoring during recovery.
- AVMA euthanasia guidelines
- Species-specific recommendations for humane killing methods, including acceptable agents, routes, and confirmation of death.
- Wound dehiscence
- Separation of surgical incision edges; a post-operative complication requiring veterinary assessment and possible repair or closure.
- Principal investigator
- The researcher responsible for protocol conduct, personnel training, and compliance; holds ultimate accountability for animal welfare under the protocol.
- Protocol amendment
- A formal change to an approved animal protocol; most changes require IACUC review and approval before implementation.
- Three Rs
- Replacement, reduction, and refinement: principles guiding humane experimental design and protocol justification for animal use.
- Unexpected adverse event
- An unanticipated animal welfare problem or protocol deviation that must be reported to the IACUC within institutional timelines.
- Pilot study
- A small preliminary experiment used to refine methods, estimate variability, and justify group sizes for reduction.
- Material transfer agreement
- A contract governing transfer of biological materials between institutions; often required alongside IACUC approvals for collaborative animal studies.
- Veterinary consultation
- Involvement of the attending veterinarian in protocol design, particularly for painful procedures, novel techniques, and endpoint selection.
- Protocol personnel listing
- The roster of individuals approved to perform animal work; only listed, trained personnel may conduct procedures under the protocol.
- Competency assessment
- Direct observation or practical evaluation confirming that personnel can perform a procedure correctly and humanely before independent work.
- AALAS certification ladder
- The ALAT, LAT, and LATg credentials, which provide a structured pathway for developing technical and managerial laboratory animal skills.
- Adult learning principles
- Instructional approaches emphasizing hands-on practice, relevance, and immediate feedback, which improve procedural skill acquisition over lecture alone.
- Occupational health program
- Required program addressing allergen, zoonosis, and chemical hazard risks for personnel with animal contact, including training and surveillance.
- Aseptic technique training
- Instruction in sterile handling of instruments, supplies, and surgical sites; a high-risk skill warranting periodic re-verification.
- Training documentation
- Records of date, trainer, procedure, and competency method for each person; essential for audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
- Continuing education credits
- Units earned through conferences and courses that support maintenance of professional certification and current regulatory knowledge.
- Structured onboarding
- A planned orientation and mentoring process for new staff that reduces procedural errors and improves animal welfare during turnover.
- Refresher training
- Periodic retraining on high-risk skills such as anesthesia monitoring and euthanasia to maintain competency and consistency.
- Anesthesia monitoring record
- Documentation of depth, respiratory rate, temperature, and drug doses during a procedure; supports clinical care and compliance review.
- Cage change frequency
- The scheduled interval for replacing bedding and cages, determined by housing type, stocking density, and species-specific ammonia accumulation.