CLC - Certified Lactation Counselor Physiology of Lactation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A new mother reports that she feels a tingling sensation in her breasts shortly after her baby begins to nurse, and sometimes when she hears her baby cry.
Which hormone is primarily responsible for this sensation, known as the milk ejection reflex or 'let-down'?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Progesterone

Question 2

A client who is 4 days postpartum is concerned because her breasts have suddenly become very full, firm, and tender. She states she was only producing small amounts of yellowish milk (colostrum) before this. This sudden increase in milk volume marks the transition into which stage of lactation?

Accepted Answer

Lactogenesis II

Answer

Lactogenesis I

Answer

Lactogenesis III (Galactopoiesis)

Answer

Involution

Question 3

Which of the following is the primary hormonal stimulus for milk synthesis (production) within the alveolar cells of the breast?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Human Placental Lactogen (hPL)

Answer

Progesterone

Question 4

A mother who exclusively breastfeeds her baby from only her right breast for several days notices that her left breast has significantly decreased in milk production, while the right breast continues to produce an ample supply. This localized control of milk synthesis is primarily regulated by:

Accepted Answer

A feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL) in the milk

Answer

Systemic prolactin levels

Answer

The frequency of the oxytocin reflex

Answer

Maternal hydration status

Question 5

During pregnancy, the breasts are prepared for lactation, and colostrum production begins (Lactogenesis I). However, copious milk production is inhibited until after birth. Which hormone is primarily responsible for preventing significant lactation during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Testosterone

Question 6

A breastfeeding mother is experiencing significant emotional stress and anxiety. She reports that although her breasts feel full, her baby seems frustrated at the breast and is having difficulty getting the milk to flow. This difficulty is most likely due to the inhibition of which hormone by stress?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Progesterone

A new mother reports that she feels a tingling sensation in her breasts shortly after her baby begins to nurse, and sometimes when she hears her baby cry.Which hormone is primarily responsible for this sensation, known as the milk ejection reflex or 'let-down'?

A new mother reports that she feels a tingling sensation in her breasts shortly after her baby begins to nurse, and sometimes when she hears her baby cry.
Which hormone is primarily responsible for this sensation, known as the milk ejection reflex or 'let-down'?