International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What is the first question to ask when assisting a breastfeeding mother regarding medication?

1. What is the relative infant dose of the medication?

2. What is the protein binding of the medication?

3. What is the molecular weight of the medication?

4. Is the medication really necessary to take now?

The correct answer is: Is the medication really necessary to take now?

When assisting a breastfeeding mother regarding medication, the initial question to ask is whether the medication is truly necessary at that moment. This is crucial because it helps to assess the overall safety and appropriateness of the medication in the context of breastfeeding. Understanding the necessity of the medication can help guide decisions about whether to proceed with treatment or seek alternatives that may pose less risk to the infant. Determining the necessity allows healthcare providers to evaluate whether the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the potential risks involved in its use while breastfeeding. This question also opens the conversation for the mother to express her concerns and for the consultant to provide detailed guidance on the safest choices for both mother and baby. Following this inquiry, further evaluations regarding the specific characteristics of the medication, such as its relative infant dose, protein binding, and molecular weight, can be conducted to make informed recommendations. Focusing on the necessity first lays the groundwork for a thorough and patient-centered discussion about medication safety in relation to breastfeeding.