PCE Certified Breastfeeding Counselor
(CBC) Practice Exam Questions and
Answers with Rationales Latest
Versions
Question 1
A healthy full-term newborn is placed skin-to-skin immediately after
birth. Which benefit is most strongly supported by evidence?
A. Increased need for formula supplementation
B. Delayed initiation of breastfeeding
C. Improved thermoregulation and earlier successful breastfeeding
D. Increased neonatal glucose instability
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Immediate skin-to-skin contact promotes newborn temperature
regulation, cardiorespiratory stability, early feeding cues, successful
latch, and increased exclusive breastfeeding rates. It also reduces infant
stress and supports maternal bonding.
Question 2
Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk ejection ("let-down")?
,A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells surrounding the
alveoli, pushing milk into the ducts. Prolactin stimulates milk synthesis,
while estrogen and progesterone prepare the breast during pregnancy.
Question 3
Which infant behavior is considered an early feeding cue?
A. Loud crying
B. Turning the head and rooting
C. Falling asleep
D. Hiccups
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Early feeding cues include rooting, bringing hands to the mouth, mouth
opening, and increased alertness. Crying is considered a late feeding cue
and may make latching more difficult.
Question 4
,A mother reports sore nipples on day 3 postpartum. The MOST common
cause is:
A. Infant allergy
B. Poor latch
C. Maternal dehydration
D. Low milk supply
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Poor positioning and shallow latch are the leading causes of nipple pain
in the early postpartum period. Correcting the latch often resolves
soreness.
Question 5
Which finding indicates an effective latch?
A. Lips tucked inward
B. Audible clicking
C. Deep rhythmic suck-swallow pattern with visible jaw movement
D. Nipple appears flattened immediately after feeding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Effective milk transfer is indicated by rhythmic sucking with audible
swallowing, wide mouth opening, flanged lips, and relaxed maternal
comfort after feeding.
, Question 6
Which hormone primarily stimulates milk production?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Testosterone
D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Prolactin, secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, stimulates milk
synthesis. Milk production is maintained through frequent and effective
milk removal.
Question 7
A healthy breastfed newborn should generally feed:
A. Every 6 hours
B. Every 4–5 hours
C. 8–12 times in 24 hours
D. Only when crying
Correct Answer: C
(CBC) Practice Exam Questions and
Answers with Rationales Latest
Versions
Question 1
A healthy full-term newborn is placed skin-to-skin immediately after
birth. Which benefit is most strongly supported by evidence?
A. Increased need for formula supplementation
B. Delayed initiation of breastfeeding
C. Improved thermoregulation and earlier successful breastfeeding
D. Increased neonatal glucose instability
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Immediate skin-to-skin contact promotes newborn temperature
regulation, cardiorespiratory stability, early feeding cues, successful
latch, and increased exclusive breastfeeding rates. It also reduces infant
stress and supports maternal bonding.
Question 2
Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk ejection ("let-down")?
,A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells surrounding the
alveoli, pushing milk into the ducts. Prolactin stimulates milk synthesis,
while estrogen and progesterone prepare the breast during pregnancy.
Question 3
Which infant behavior is considered an early feeding cue?
A. Loud crying
B. Turning the head and rooting
C. Falling asleep
D. Hiccups
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Early feeding cues include rooting, bringing hands to the mouth, mouth
opening, and increased alertness. Crying is considered a late feeding cue
and may make latching more difficult.
Question 4
,A mother reports sore nipples on day 3 postpartum. The MOST common
cause is:
A. Infant allergy
B. Poor latch
C. Maternal dehydration
D. Low milk supply
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Poor positioning and shallow latch are the leading causes of nipple pain
in the early postpartum period. Correcting the latch often resolves
soreness.
Question 5
Which finding indicates an effective latch?
A. Lips tucked inward
B. Audible clicking
C. Deep rhythmic suck-swallow pattern with visible jaw movement
D. Nipple appears flattened immediately after feeding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Effective milk transfer is indicated by rhythmic sucking with audible
swallowing, wide mouth opening, flanged lips, and relaxed maternal
comfort after feeding.
, Question 6
Which hormone primarily stimulates milk production?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Testosterone
D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Prolactin, secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, stimulates milk
synthesis. Milk production is maintained through frequent and effective
milk removal.
Question 7
A healthy breastfed newborn should generally feed:
A. Every 6 hours
B. Every 4–5 hours
C. 8–12 times in 24 hours
D. Only when crying
Correct Answer: C
