Certified Lactation Specialist Protocol Development & Review 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When reviewing an existing breastfeeding protocol, which element should be evaluated FIRST to determine if an update is warranted?
- Staff satisfaction with current protocol
- Currency of the evidence base supporting the protocol (Correct answer)
- Cost of implementing protocol changes
- Patient preference surveys
Correct answer: Currency of the evidence base supporting the protocol
The evidence base must be assessed first to determine if research has evolved and the protocol reflects current best practice.
Question 2: A hospital wants to develop a protocol for supplementation of breastfed newborns. Which organization's guidelines should serve as the primary reference?
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) (Correct answer)
- Joint Commission
Correct answer: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM)
The ABM publishes clinical protocols specifically designed for breastfeeding medicine, including supplementation indications.
Question 3: A unit-based protocol for skin-to-skin care after cesarean birth should specify the minimum duration of uninterrupted contact as:
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes
- 60 minutes (Correct answer)
- Until the first feeding is complete
Correct answer: 60 minutes
Evidence supports at least 60 minutes of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact to facilitate initiation of breastfeeding after cesarean birth.
Question 4: Which stakeholder is MOST important to include in the protocol development committee for a neonatal breastfeeding support protocol?
- Hospital administrator
- Bedside nurse who provides direct lactation support (Correct answer)
- Insurance billing specialist
- Marketing department representative
Correct answer: Bedside nurse who provides direct lactation support
Frontline nurses who implement protocols daily bring essential practical insight and are most likely to identify barriers to adherence.
Question 5: A protocol review cycle of every _____ years is generally considered the standard interval in most hospital systems.
- 1
- 2
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 5
Correct answer: 3
Most health systems require protocol review every 2–3 years, with 3 years being a common standard unless new evidence triggers an earlier review.
Question 6: When writing a new protocol, the 'scope' section should clearly define:
- The author's credentials and contact information
- Which patient populations and clinical settings the protocol applies to (Correct answer)
- The specific disciplinary actions for non-compliance
- The total cost of protocol implementation
Correct answer: Which patient populations and clinical settings the protocol applies to
The scope statement limits and clarifies the protocol's applicability to prevent misuse across inappropriate populations or settings.
Question 7: A protocol that addresses early identification of breastfeeding difficulties should include a standardized _____ tool to ensure consistent assessment across staff.
- Billing code reference
- Latch assessment scoring instrument (Correct answer)
- Patient satisfaction questionnaire
- Formula dosing chart
Correct answer: Latch assessment scoring instrument
Standardized latch assessment tools such as LATCH or IBFAT ensure consistent, objective evaluation by all clinical staff.
Certified Lactation Specialist Protocol Development & Review 2
When reviewing an existing breastfeeding protocol, which element should be evaluated FIRST to determine if an update is warranted?