CBC CBC Medications & Substances in Breastfeeding

Question 1

Which resource is considered the gold standard for evaluating medication safety during breastfeeding in the US?

Accepted Answer

LactMed (NIH database)

Answer

FDA drug label only

Answer

PDR Physicians' Desk Reference

Answer

WebMD drug guide

Question 2

A breastfeeding mother asks about taking ibuprofen for postpartum pain. What is the most accurate counseling point?

Accepted Answer

It is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding due to low transfer into milk

Answer

It is absolutely contraindicated while breastfeeding

Answer

It transfers in high amounts and should be avoided for 48 hours after each dose

Answer

It requires pumping and dumping for 12 hours after ingestion

Question 3

Which of the following factors most influences how much of a drug transfers into breast milk?

Accepted Answer

Molecular weight, protein binding, and lipid solubility

Answer

The mother's age and parity

Answer

The infant's birth weight only

Answer

Time of day the medication is taken

Question 4

What does the term 'Relative Infant Dose (RID)' mean in the context of breastfeeding and medications?

Accepted Answer

The infant's dose via milk as a percentage of the maternal weight-adjusted dose

Answer

The total milligrams of drug excreted per liter of breast milk

Answer

The recommended pediatric dose of a given drug

Answer

The ratio of drug in fore-milk versus hind-milk

Question 5

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches are being considered by a breastfeeding mother who wants to quit smoking. What should a CBC counselor communicate?

Accepted Answer

NRT is generally preferred over continued smoking because it reduces infant nicotine and toxin exposure

Answer

NRT is absolutely contraindicated and the mother must stop breastfeeding to use it

Answer

NRT patches transfer no nicotine into breast milk

Answer

The mother should wean immediately before starting NRT

Question 6

A mother is prescribed a medication with an RID of 15%. How should a CBC counselor interpret this?

Accepted Answer

The RID exceeds the typical 10% safety threshold and warrants further evaluation and monitoring

Answer

The medication is absolutely safe and no monitoring is needed

Answer

The medication should never be used while breastfeeding

Answer

The RID value is irrelevant if the drug is FDA-approved