CLC CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANT EXAM 2025|
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPREHENSIVE
ANSWERS| LATEST VERSION| EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS
Which structure is primarily responsible for milk production within the breast? A. Montgomery’s
glands
B. Lactiferous sinuses
C. Alveolar (acinar) cells in the lobules
D. Ductal cartilage
Correct Answer: C. Alveolar (acinar) cells in the lobules
Rationale: Alveolar cells (milk-making cells) secrete milk into the ductal system. Montgomery’s
glands are on the areola, and there is no cartilage in milk ducts.
Which hormone is most directly responsible for milk ejection (let-down) reflex? A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: B. Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells around alveoli, pushing milk
through ducts. Prolactin influences milk production, not ejection.
During pregnancy, which placental hormone primarily inhibits mature milk secretion until
delivery? A. Relaxin
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: D. Progesterone
Rationale: High progesterone and estrogen levels prevent full milk secretion before birth. Once
the placenta delivers (removing progesterone), lactogenesis II is triggered.
Which best describes lactogenesis II (secretory activation)? A. Initiation of colostrum production
in late pregnancy
B. Rapid increase in milk volume beginning ~2–3 days postpartum
C. Maintenance of milk supply through frequent emptying
D. Cessation of lactation
,Correct Answer: B. Rapid increase in milk volume beginning ~2–3 days postpartum
Rationale: Lactogenesis II occurs postpartum when progesterone levels drop, leading to more
copious, transitional milk.
Breastmilk supply is maintained primarily by:
A. Placental hormone levels
B. Frequent milk removal and nipple stimulation
C. Absolute breast size
D. Daily maternal fluid intake exceeding 3 liters
Correct Answer: B. Frequent milk removal and nipple stimulation
Rationale: Milk production is autocrine-controlled—frequent emptying, good stimulation, and
removing milk signals alveolar cells to produce more.
Grade 3 inverted nipples are characterized by: A. Nipples evert with minimal stimulation
B. Nipples evert only to revert instantly when released
C. Nipples rarely or never evert, even with strong stimulation
D. Nipples appear normal at rest but flatten when baby latches
Correct Answer: C. Nipples rarely or never evert, even with strong stimulation
Rationale: Grade 3 indicates the most severe inversion, making latching more challenging.
Montgomery’s glands on the areola secrete: A. Astringent chemicals to close ducts
B. Sebum-like substance that lubricates the nipple/areola
C. Milk in direct proportions
D. Odorless fluid irrelevant to lactation
Correct Answer: B. Sebum-like substance that lubricates the nipple/areola
Rationale: Montgomery’s glands provide lubrication, protective substances, and can help guide
the infant’s latch via odor cues.
Which statement is true about lactiferous ducts? A. Each duct leads to a separate alveolus
B. Most women have around 5–10 duct openings per nipple
C. They store large amounts of milk between feedings
D. They only develop after weaning
Correct Answer: B. Most women have around 5–10 duct openings per nipple
Rationale: Research shows there are typically multiple duct openings on the nipple surface
(commonly 5–10). Ducts do not store large volumes of milk.
, Which factor most strongly affects the fat content of a particular feeding?
A. Maternal dietary intake of fats
B. Length of time since last feeding (intervals)
C. Maternal stress hormones
D. Foremilk always has higher fat
Correct Answer: B. Length of time since last feeding (intervals)
Rationale: Longer intervals can lead to overall lower average fat at the start of the next feed.
How does maternal smoking typically influence lactation?
A. It tends to increase milk volume
B. It lowers prolactin surges and can reduce supply
C. It has no effect on breastfeeding success
D. It increases baby’s rest time post-feed
Correct Answer: B. It lowers prolactin surges and can reduce supply
Rationale: Nicotine can interfere with normal prolactin release, often resulting in reduced milk
production.
In a proper latch, the baby’s lips:
A. Should form a tight seal in a fish-lips or flanged position around the areola
B. Grip only the tip of the nipple
C. Point outward while the jaws remain shut
D. Press onto the alveolar ridge
Correct Answer: A. Should form a tight seal in a fish-lips or flanged position around the areola
Rationale: Correct latch includes lips flanged outward around the areola, not just the nipple.
What is the typical pattern of suck-swallow-breathe in an efficient nursing baby?
A. 2–3 sucks per swallow, with brief pause to breathe
B. 1:1 ratio
C. Continuous swallowing with no breathing pause
D. Random uncoordinated sucking
Correct Answer: A. 2–3 sucks per swallow, with brief pause to breathe
Rationale: Infants usually do a cluster of sucks, then swallow, then breathe—2–3:1 is common
in a mature pattern.
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPREHENSIVE
ANSWERS| LATEST VERSION| EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS
Which structure is primarily responsible for milk production within the breast? A. Montgomery’s
glands
B. Lactiferous sinuses
C. Alveolar (acinar) cells in the lobules
D. Ductal cartilage
Correct Answer: C. Alveolar (acinar) cells in the lobules
Rationale: Alveolar cells (milk-making cells) secrete milk into the ductal system. Montgomery’s
glands are on the areola, and there is no cartilage in milk ducts.
Which hormone is most directly responsible for milk ejection (let-down) reflex? A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: B. Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells around alveoli, pushing milk
through ducts. Prolactin influences milk production, not ejection.
During pregnancy, which placental hormone primarily inhibits mature milk secretion until
delivery? A. Relaxin
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: D. Progesterone
Rationale: High progesterone and estrogen levels prevent full milk secretion before birth. Once
the placenta delivers (removing progesterone), lactogenesis II is triggered.
Which best describes lactogenesis II (secretory activation)? A. Initiation of colostrum production
in late pregnancy
B. Rapid increase in milk volume beginning ~2–3 days postpartum
C. Maintenance of milk supply through frequent emptying
D. Cessation of lactation
,Correct Answer: B. Rapid increase in milk volume beginning ~2–3 days postpartum
Rationale: Lactogenesis II occurs postpartum when progesterone levels drop, leading to more
copious, transitional milk.
Breastmilk supply is maintained primarily by:
A. Placental hormone levels
B. Frequent milk removal and nipple stimulation
C. Absolute breast size
D. Daily maternal fluid intake exceeding 3 liters
Correct Answer: B. Frequent milk removal and nipple stimulation
Rationale: Milk production is autocrine-controlled—frequent emptying, good stimulation, and
removing milk signals alveolar cells to produce more.
Grade 3 inverted nipples are characterized by: A. Nipples evert with minimal stimulation
B. Nipples evert only to revert instantly when released
C. Nipples rarely or never evert, even with strong stimulation
D. Nipples appear normal at rest but flatten when baby latches
Correct Answer: C. Nipples rarely or never evert, even with strong stimulation
Rationale: Grade 3 indicates the most severe inversion, making latching more challenging.
Montgomery’s glands on the areola secrete: A. Astringent chemicals to close ducts
B. Sebum-like substance that lubricates the nipple/areola
C. Milk in direct proportions
D. Odorless fluid irrelevant to lactation
Correct Answer: B. Sebum-like substance that lubricates the nipple/areola
Rationale: Montgomery’s glands provide lubrication, protective substances, and can help guide
the infant’s latch via odor cues.
Which statement is true about lactiferous ducts? A. Each duct leads to a separate alveolus
B. Most women have around 5–10 duct openings per nipple
C. They store large amounts of milk between feedings
D. They only develop after weaning
Correct Answer: B. Most women have around 5–10 duct openings per nipple
Rationale: Research shows there are typically multiple duct openings on the nipple surface
(commonly 5–10). Ducts do not store large volumes of milk.
, Which factor most strongly affects the fat content of a particular feeding?
A. Maternal dietary intake of fats
B. Length of time since last feeding (intervals)
C. Maternal stress hormones
D. Foremilk always has higher fat
Correct Answer: B. Length of time since last feeding (intervals)
Rationale: Longer intervals can lead to overall lower average fat at the start of the next feed.
How does maternal smoking typically influence lactation?
A. It tends to increase milk volume
B. It lowers prolactin surges and can reduce supply
C. It has no effect on breastfeeding success
D. It increases baby’s rest time post-feed
Correct Answer: B. It lowers prolactin surges and can reduce supply
Rationale: Nicotine can interfere with normal prolactin release, often resulting in reduced milk
production.
In a proper latch, the baby’s lips:
A. Should form a tight seal in a fish-lips or flanged position around the areola
B. Grip only the tip of the nipple
C. Point outward while the jaws remain shut
D. Press onto the alveolar ridge
Correct Answer: A. Should form a tight seal in a fish-lips or flanged position around the areola
Rationale: Correct latch includes lips flanged outward around the areola, not just the nipple.
What is the typical pattern of suck-swallow-breathe in an efficient nursing baby?
A. 2–3 sucks per swallow, with brief pause to breathe
B. 1:1 ratio
C. Continuous swallowing with no breathing pause
D. Random uncoordinated sucking
Correct Answer: A. 2–3 sucks per swallow, with brief pause to breathe
Rationale: Infants usually do a cluster of sucks, then swallow, then breathe—2–3:1 is common
in a mature pattern.
