IBCLC Exam questions and answers 2026\2027 A+
Grade
% of breastmilk that is carbohydrates
- correct answer Approximately 7%
Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_milk.
% of breastmilk that is fat
- correct answer Approximately 4%
Hale and Hartman, 2007. Textbook of Human Lactation, page 50.
% of breastmilk that is protein
- correct answer Approximately .8 - 1 %
Mannel, Martens & Walker, 2008. Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice (2nd ed.), page 272.
% of calories in breastmilk from carbohydrates
- correct answer Approximately 40%
Hale and Hartman, 2007. Textbook of Human Lactation, page 69.
% of calories in breastmilk from fat
- correct answer Approximately 50%
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 124.
% of calories in breastmilk from protein
- correct answer Approximately 10%
Mannel, Martens & Walker, 2008. Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice (2nd ed.), page 272.
Acinus
- correct answer Any of the small sacs or alveoli that terminate the ducts and are lined with secretory
cells.
,Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary. Available online: http://www.merriam-
webster.com/medical/acinus?show=0&t=1296699192
Acrocyanosis
- correct answer Bluish discoloration of the hands and feet in the newborn; peripheral cyanosis. Should
not persist beyond 24 hours after birth.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Active immunity
- correct answer Immunity conferred by the production of antibodies by one's own immune system.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 868.
Active transport
- correct answer Passage of drug into breastmilk assisted by components in breastmilk.
Hale & Hartman, 2007. Textbook of Human Lactation, page 470.
Acyclovir/Zovirax
- correct answer Antiviral used to treat herpes infections, L2.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 177.
Aerobic bacteria
- correct answer Bacteria requiring air for metabolic processes. The breast is colonized with this type of
bacteria.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
AGA
- correct answer Appropriate for Gestational Age. Having a birth weight between the 10th and 90th
percentile on intrauterine growth charts.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 671.
Alcohol and breastfeeding
- correct answer Alcohol can decrease milk supply. Breastfeeding must be interrupted for 1 hour per
drink, or until mother is sober.
,Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 171 & 188.
Aldomet/Methyldopa
- correct answer Antihypertensive, L2. Frequently used to treat hypertension during pregnancy. No
concerns reported via breastmilk.
Hale, 2010. Medications and Mother's Milk (14th ed.), page 667.
Allergen
- correct answer A substance that causes an allergic response, such as foods, drugs, inhalants. Cow's milk
is common source for infants.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Αlphalactalbumin
- correct answer A major protein found in human milk whey. Assists in processing lactose.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Alveolar ridge
- correct answer The ridges on the upper and lower jaw where infant's teeth will grow.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Alveolus, alveoli
- correct answer Secrete and store milk for let down. Surrounded by myoepithelial cells, contractile cells
and connective tissue.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 80.
Amenorrhea
- correct answer A natural phase of infertility that takes place when a mother is exclusively
breastfeeding. Menstruation has not returned.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 707 &865.
Amoxicillin
- correct answer Antibiotic, L2. Observe for change in intestinal flora, compatible.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 177.
, Ampicillin
- correct answer Antibiotic, L1. Observe for change in intestinal flora, compatible.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 177.
Anaphylaxis
- correct answer Hypersensitivity (as to foreign proteins or drugs) resulting from sensitization following
prior contact with the causative agent.
Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/medical/anaphylaxis.
Anchor scar
- correct answer Surgical technique for breast reduction, slang.
Ankyglossia
- correct answer A tongue tie. Characterized by a thick, short, or tight frenulum under the tongue. Can
cause breastfeeding issues, such as a painful latch or inefficient milk transfer.
Anterior pituitary
- correct answer This gland releases prolactin into the blood effecting milk production and ejection. It is
susceptible to stress.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 91.
Anthrax
- correct answer Infectious disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium (Bacillus anthrax),
characterized by external ulcerating nodules or by lesions in the lungs.
Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/medical/anthrax.
Antibody
- correct answer Immunoglobulin formed in response to an antigen, including bacteria and viruses.
Antibodies attack those bacteria or viruses helping the body resist infection.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Grade
% of breastmilk that is carbohydrates
- correct answer Approximately 7%
Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_milk.
% of breastmilk that is fat
- correct answer Approximately 4%
Hale and Hartman, 2007. Textbook of Human Lactation, page 50.
% of breastmilk that is protein
- correct answer Approximately .8 - 1 %
Mannel, Martens & Walker, 2008. Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice (2nd ed.), page 272.
% of calories in breastmilk from carbohydrates
- correct answer Approximately 40%
Hale and Hartman, 2007. Textbook of Human Lactation, page 69.
% of calories in breastmilk from fat
- correct answer Approximately 50%
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 124.
% of calories in breastmilk from protein
- correct answer Approximately 10%
Mannel, Martens & Walker, 2008. Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice (2nd ed.), page 272.
Acinus
- correct answer Any of the small sacs or alveoli that terminate the ducts and are lined with secretory
cells.
,Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary. Available online: http://www.merriam-
webster.com/medical/acinus?show=0&t=1296699192
Acrocyanosis
- correct answer Bluish discoloration of the hands and feet in the newborn; peripheral cyanosis. Should
not persist beyond 24 hours after birth.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Active immunity
- correct answer Immunity conferred by the production of antibodies by one's own immune system.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 868.
Active transport
- correct answer Passage of drug into breastmilk assisted by components in breastmilk.
Hale & Hartman, 2007. Textbook of Human Lactation, page 470.
Acyclovir/Zovirax
- correct answer Antiviral used to treat herpes infections, L2.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 177.
Aerobic bacteria
- correct answer Bacteria requiring air for metabolic processes. The breast is colonized with this type of
bacteria.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
AGA
- correct answer Appropriate for Gestational Age. Having a birth weight between the 10th and 90th
percentile on intrauterine growth charts.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 671.
Alcohol and breastfeeding
- correct answer Alcohol can decrease milk supply. Breastfeeding must be interrupted for 1 hour per
drink, or until mother is sober.
,Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 171 & 188.
Aldomet/Methyldopa
- correct answer Antihypertensive, L2. Frequently used to treat hypertension during pregnancy. No
concerns reported via breastmilk.
Hale, 2010. Medications and Mother's Milk (14th ed.), page 667.
Allergen
- correct answer A substance that causes an allergic response, such as foods, drugs, inhalants. Cow's milk
is common source for infants.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Αlphalactalbumin
- correct answer A major protein found in human milk whey. Assists in processing lactose.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Alveolar ridge
- correct answer The ridges on the upper and lower jaw where infant's teeth will grow.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
Alveolus, alveoli
- correct answer Secrete and store milk for let down. Surrounded by myoepithelial cells, contractile cells
and connective tissue.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 80.
Amenorrhea
- correct answer A natural phase of infertility that takes place when a mother is exclusively
breastfeeding. Menstruation has not returned.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 707 &865.
Amoxicillin
- correct answer Antibiotic, L2. Observe for change in intestinal flora, compatible.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 177.
, Ampicillin
- correct answer Antibiotic, L1. Observe for change in intestinal flora, compatible.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 177.
Anaphylaxis
- correct answer Hypersensitivity (as to foreign proteins or drugs) resulting from sensitization following
prior contact with the causative agent.
Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/medical/anaphylaxis.
Anchor scar
- correct answer Surgical technique for breast reduction, slang.
Ankyglossia
- correct answer A tongue tie. Characterized by a thick, short, or tight frenulum under the tongue. Can
cause breastfeeding issues, such as a painful latch or inefficient milk transfer.
Anterior pituitary
- correct answer This gland releases prolactin into the blood effecting milk production and ejection. It is
susceptible to stress.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 91.
Anthrax
- correct answer Infectious disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium (Bacillus anthrax),
characterized by external ulcerating nodules or by lesions in the lungs.
Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/medical/anthrax.
Antibody
- correct answer Immunoglobulin formed in response to an antigen, including bacteria and viruses.
Antibodies attack those bacteria or viruses helping the body resist infection.
Riordan & Wambach, 2010. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.), page 863.
