IBCLC Ethics and Professional Conduct 3

Question 1

An IBCLC is asked to provide lactation support to a mother who is a personal friend. What is the most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Refer the friend to another IBCLC to avoid a dual relationship

Answer

Provide care since her expertise will benefit her friend

Answer

Provide care but do not charge for services

Answer

Provide care only in a formal clinical setting

Question 2

A mother asks the IBCLC not to include certain information in her medical record because she is concerned about privacy. The information is clinically relevant. What should the IBCLC do?

Accepted Answer

Explain why the information is clinically important for documentation while respecting her concerns about confidentiality

Answer

Omit the information as the mother requests

Answer

Include the information without telling the mother

Answer

Tell the mother she has no right to control what is documented

Question 3

An IBCLC employed by a hospital is pressured by administration to reduce consultation time to 15 minutes per patient to increase throughput. What is the ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Advocate for adequate consultation time by presenting evidence that rushed consultations compromise breastfeeding outcomes

Answer

Comply with the directive since the employer sets policy

Answer

Resign immediately to maintain professional standards

Answer

Continue with longer consultations without telling administration

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of the IBCLC recertification process?

Accepted Answer

To ensure IBCLCs maintain current knowledge and competency in lactation care

Answer

To generate revenue for the IBLCE

Answer

To limit the number of practicing IBCLCs

Answer

To satisfy employer requirements

Question 5

An IBCLC working in private practice wants to use before-and-after photos of clients' breastfeeding outcomes for her website. What ethical considerations apply?

Accepted Answer

Written informed consent must be obtained, and the mother must understand how images will be used and have the right to withdraw consent

Answer

It is fine as long as the photos show positive outcomes

Answer

Verbal consent is sufficient for website use

Answer

Photos can be used if faces are blurred

Question 6

An IBCLC suspects that a breastfeeding infant may be experiencing physical abuse based on unexplained bruising observed during a consultation. What is the IBCLC's legal and ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the suspicion to the appropriate child protective services agency as a mandated reporter

Answer

Document the observation and monitor at the next visit

Answer

Discuss the concern with the mother and wait for her explanation

Answer

Consult with a colleague before taking any action