IBCLC Practice Exam Questions with
Correct Answers
Polymastia - Answer-presence of more than 2 breasts
Hyperthelia - Answer-Nipple without accompanying mammary tissue
hypertrophy - Answer-abnormally large breast
hypomastia - Answer-abnormally small breasts
Hyperplasia - Answer-Over development of breast
Hypoplasia - Answer-Incomplete development in breast tissue (IGT)
Signs/Symptoms of IGT - Answer--Tubular shape due to lack of glandular tissue
-May have large areolas
-Frequently asymmetrical and widely spaced
-Increased risk for insufficient milk production
Poland syndrome - Answer-Unilateral breast hypoplasia with hypoplasia of thorax and
pectoral muscle
Tubular Breast Shape indicates... - Answer-Underdevelopment of one or both lower
quadrants of the breast
Lactogenesis 1 occurs when - Answer-Mid pregnancy until Day 2 postpartum
What does estrogen do for breastfeeding during L1? - Answer-growth hormone causes
ductal system proliferation and differentiation also growth of the connective tissue
between ducts
What does Progesterone do during L1? - Answer-increases in size of lobes, lobules,
and alveoli
Prolactin does what in L1? - Answer-nipple and areolar growth, stimulates mammary
secretory epithelial cells to produce milk
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - Answer-works with prolactin and progesterone
to promote mammary growth
Oxytocin does what in L1? - Answer-muscle contraction of alveoli
, Physical signs of L1 - Answer-Skin appears thinner
Veins become more prominent
Diameter of the areola increases
Nipples become more erect
Color of the areola darkens
Montgomery glands enlarge
The enhanced size of the breast in pregnancy is due to the growth of ducts and
lobuloalveolar (ducts and segments) systems in breast. Breast growth although the
degree of which varies between women
Lactogenesis 2/Secretory Activation occurs when? - Answer-Secretory activation occurs
approximately day 2 - day 8 postpartum
What triggers L2 to begin? - Answer-The rapid drop of progesterone after delivery of the
placenta
In L2 lactose and lipids... - Answer-Increase
When does milk supply switch from endocrine to autocrine? - Answer-Lactogenesis 2. It
goes from hormonal to supply and demand between day 2 and 8
Lactogenesis 3/Galactopoesis beings... - Answer-On Day 9. this is the long term
maintenance of breastmilk production
Prolatin and Oxytocin are doing what in L3? - Answer-Prolactin is required for milk
synthesis
Oxytocin causes milk ejection, reduces stress, causes uterine contractions, establishes
caring and bonding behaviors
Lactogenesis 3 requires - Answer-Frequent milk extraction to continue supply and
demand cycle
When might breast size decrease? - Answer-During L3 at 6-9 months
When is Lactogenesis 4? - Answer-about 40 days after the last breastfeed
What happens in L4? - Answer-Breast returns to non-productive state
Breast milk sodium levels increase
Downsides of Soy formula - Answer--Mistakenly thought to be 'healthier'
-Infants receiving soy formula also receive 6-11 times the normal intake of
phytoestrogens
-Associated with 25% increased risk of early menarche for girls who received soy
formula as infants
-Increased risk of elevated thyroid stimulating hormone
-80 times more manganese intake
Correct Answers
Polymastia - Answer-presence of more than 2 breasts
Hyperthelia - Answer-Nipple without accompanying mammary tissue
hypertrophy - Answer-abnormally large breast
hypomastia - Answer-abnormally small breasts
Hyperplasia - Answer-Over development of breast
Hypoplasia - Answer-Incomplete development in breast tissue (IGT)
Signs/Symptoms of IGT - Answer--Tubular shape due to lack of glandular tissue
-May have large areolas
-Frequently asymmetrical and widely spaced
-Increased risk for insufficient milk production
Poland syndrome - Answer-Unilateral breast hypoplasia with hypoplasia of thorax and
pectoral muscle
Tubular Breast Shape indicates... - Answer-Underdevelopment of one or both lower
quadrants of the breast
Lactogenesis 1 occurs when - Answer-Mid pregnancy until Day 2 postpartum
What does estrogen do for breastfeeding during L1? - Answer-growth hormone causes
ductal system proliferation and differentiation also growth of the connective tissue
between ducts
What does Progesterone do during L1? - Answer-increases in size of lobes, lobules,
and alveoli
Prolactin does what in L1? - Answer-nipple and areolar growth, stimulates mammary
secretory epithelial cells to produce milk
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - Answer-works with prolactin and progesterone
to promote mammary growth
Oxytocin does what in L1? - Answer-muscle contraction of alveoli
, Physical signs of L1 - Answer-Skin appears thinner
Veins become more prominent
Diameter of the areola increases
Nipples become more erect
Color of the areola darkens
Montgomery glands enlarge
The enhanced size of the breast in pregnancy is due to the growth of ducts and
lobuloalveolar (ducts and segments) systems in breast. Breast growth although the
degree of which varies between women
Lactogenesis 2/Secretory Activation occurs when? - Answer-Secretory activation occurs
approximately day 2 - day 8 postpartum
What triggers L2 to begin? - Answer-The rapid drop of progesterone after delivery of the
placenta
In L2 lactose and lipids... - Answer-Increase
When does milk supply switch from endocrine to autocrine? - Answer-Lactogenesis 2. It
goes from hormonal to supply and demand between day 2 and 8
Lactogenesis 3/Galactopoesis beings... - Answer-On Day 9. this is the long term
maintenance of breastmilk production
Prolatin and Oxytocin are doing what in L3? - Answer-Prolactin is required for milk
synthesis
Oxytocin causes milk ejection, reduces stress, causes uterine contractions, establishes
caring and bonding behaviors
Lactogenesis 3 requires - Answer-Frequent milk extraction to continue supply and
demand cycle
When might breast size decrease? - Answer-During L3 at 6-9 months
When is Lactogenesis 4? - Answer-about 40 days after the last breastfeed
What happens in L4? - Answer-Breast returns to non-productive state
Breast milk sodium levels increase
Downsides of Soy formula - Answer--Mistakenly thought to be 'healthier'
-Infants receiving soy formula also receive 6-11 times the normal intake of
phytoestrogens
-Associated with 25% increased risk of early menarche for girls who received soy
formula as infants
-Increased risk of elevated thyroid stimulating hormone
-80 times more manganese intake
