Breastfeeding support and counseling — MCQs

A 55-year-old man comes to the physician with a 3-month history of headache, periodic loss of vision, and easy bruising. Physical examination shows splenomegaly. His hemoglobin concentration is 13.8 g/dL, leukocyte count is 8000/mm3, and platelet count is 995,000/mm3. Bone marrow biopsy shows markedly increased megakaryocytes with hyperlobulated nuclei. Genetic analysis shows upregulation of the JAK-STAT genes. The pathway encoded by these genes is also physiologically responsible for signal transmission of which of the following hormones?

A 28-year-old gravida 1 para 1 woman is being seen in the hospital for breast tenderness. She reports that both breasts are swollen and tender. She is also having difficulty getting her newborn to latch. The patient gave birth 4 days ago by uncomplicated vaginal delivery. During her pregnancy, the patient developed gestational diabetes but was otherwise healthy. She took folate and insulin. She attended all her pre-natal appointments. Upon examination, the patient has a low grade fever, but all other vital signs are stable. Bilateral breasts appear engorged and are tender to palpation. There is no erythema, warmth, or induration. A lactation nurse is brought in to assist the patient and her newborn with more effective breastfeeding positions. The patient says a neighbor told her that breastmilk actually lacks in nutrients, and she asks what the best option is for the health of her newborn. Which of the following components is breastmilk a poor source of?

A 29-year-old G1P1 woman presents to her primary care physician with unilateral breast pain. She is currently breastfeeding her healthy 3-month-old baby boy. She has been breastfeeding since her child's birth without any problems. However, 3 days prior to presentation, she developed left breast pain, purulent nipple discharge, and malaise. Her past medical history is notable for obesity and generalized anxiety disorder. She takes sertraline. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. Her temperature is 100.8°F (38.2°C), blood pressure is 128/78 mmHg, pulse is 91/min, and respirations are 17/min. On exam, she appears lethargic but is able to answer questions appropriately. Her right breast appears normal. Her left breast is tender to palpation, warm to the touch, and swollen relative to the right breast. There is a visible fissure in the left nipple that expresses minimal purulent discharge. Which of the following pathogens is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

A 26-year-old woman presents to her physician with a complaint of milk reduction. 2 months ago, she delivered a healthy girl from an uncomplicated pregnancy. The baby was exclusively breastfed until 1.5 months when the patient had to return to the workforce. She cannot breastfeed her daughter at work so she had to leave her with her grandmother and incorporated baby formula into her diet. She reports breast engorgement shortly after she switched to the described regimen which subsided soon. A week after she switched to such a regimen, she started to notice that she has less milk to feed her baby when she is at home. The patient does not report any other symptoms including weight change or mood disturbances. She has breast implants installed submuscularly using the inframammary approach. At the age of 12 years, she had a blunt chest trauma with breast involvement. After the pregnancy, she had a short course of cetirizine due to hay fever. At presentation, the patient’s vital signs are within normal limits. The patient’s breasts are slightly engorged with no skin color changes. There is no discharge on breast compression. Which of the following statements describes the cause of the patient’s condition?

A 24-year-old newly immigrated mother arrives to the clinic to discuss breastfeeding options for her newborn child. Her medical history is unclear as she has recently arrived from Sub-Saharan Africa. You tell her that unfortunately she will not be able to breastfeed until further testing is performed. Which of the following infections is an absolute contraindication to breastfeeding?

Twenty minutes after delivery of a newborn infant, a 22-year-old woman starts breastfeeding. Initially, the expressed milk is thick and yellowish. Three days later, the mother's breasts swell and the expressed milk becomes thinner and whiter. A decrease in maternal serum concentration of which of the following is most likely responsible for the observed changes in milk production?

A 6-month-old girl is brought to the physician for a well-child examination. She was born at 37 weeks' gestation. Pregnancy and the neonatal period were uncomplicated. The infant was exclusively breastfed and received vitamin D supplementation. She can sit unsupported and can transfer objects from one hand to the other. She babbles and is uncomfortable around strangers. She is at 40th percentile for length and at 35th percentile for weight. Vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. In addition to continuing breastfeeding, which of the following is the most appropriate recommendation at this time?

A 19-year-old African female refugee has been granted asylum in Stockholm, Sweden and has been living there for the past month. She arrived in Sweden with her 2-month-old infant, whom she exclusively breast feeds. Which of the following deficiencies is the infant most likely to develop?

A 2-month-old girl is brought to the physician for a well-child examination. She was born at 32 weeks' gestation and weighed 1616 g (3 lb 9 oz); she currently weighs 2466 g (5 lb 7 oz). She is exclusively breastfed and receives vitamin D supplementation. Physical examination shows no abnormalities apart from low height and weight. This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

A 13-month-old boy with sickle cell anemia is brought to the emergency department because of continuous crying and severe left-hand swelling. His condition started 2 hours earlier without any preceding trauma. The child was given diclofenac syrup at home with no relief. The temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg, and pulse is 100/min. The physical examination reveals swelling and tenderness to palpation of the left hand. The hemoglobin level is 10.4 g/dL. Which of the following is the best initial step in management of this patient condition?