Page 1 of 41
Breastfeeding, Support, and
Lactation|REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|100% VERIFIED
1. What is the primary hormone responsible for milk synthesis
(lactogenesis II)?
A) Oxytocin
B) Prolactin
C) Estrogen
D) Progesterone
Answer: B – Prolactin is the primary hormone for milk
production.
Rationale: Prolactin acts on alveolar cells to produce milk.
Oxytocin causes milk ejection. Estrogen and progesterone
suppress lactation during pregnancy.
,Page 2 of 41
2. The hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex (let-
down) is:
A) Prolactin
B) Oxytocin
C) Cortisol
D) Insulin
Answer: B – Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells
around alveoli, ejecting milk into ducts.
Rationale: Oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary in
response to nipple stimulation, suckling, or conditioned cues (e.g.,
baby’s cry).
3. True or False? Progesterone levels drop sharply after
delivery of the placenta, triggering lactogenesis II.
A) True
B) False
,Page 3 of 41
Answer: A – Progesterone withdrawal is the key trigger for the
onset of copious milk production.
Rationale: High progesterone during pregnancy inhibits milk
secretion. After placental delivery, progesterone falls, allowing
prolactin to stimulate milk synthesis.
4. Lactogenesis I (secretory differentiation) begins around
which week of pregnancy?
A) 8–10 weeks
B) 12–14 weeks
C) 16–20 weeks
D) 24–28 weeks
Answer: C – Lactogenesis I occurs during mid-pregnancy (16–20
weeks), when the mammary gland becomes capable of secreting
colostrum.
, Page 4 of 41
Rationale: By the second trimester, the breast produces colostrum,
but high progesterone levels prevent full secretion.
5. Which cells produce milk within the mammary gland?
A) Myoepithelial cells
B) Alveolar cells (lactocytes)
C) Ductal cells
D) Stromal fibroblasts
Answer: B – Alveolar cells (lactocytes) synthesize and secrete
milk components.
Rationale: Myoepithelial cells contract to eject milk; ductal cells
modify milk composition but do not produce it.
6. True or False? The let-down reflex can be inhibited by
stress, pain, or anxiety.
Breastfeeding, Support, and
Lactation|REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|100% VERIFIED
1. What is the primary hormone responsible for milk synthesis
(lactogenesis II)?
A) Oxytocin
B) Prolactin
C) Estrogen
D) Progesterone
Answer: B – Prolactin is the primary hormone for milk
production.
Rationale: Prolactin acts on alveolar cells to produce milk.
Oxytocin causes milk ejection. Estrogen and progesterone
suppress lactation during pregnancy.
,Page 2 of 41
2. The hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex (let-
down) is:
A) Prolactin
B) Oxytocin
C) Cortisol
D) Insulin
Answer: B – Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells
around alveoli, ejecting milk into ducts.
Rationale: Oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary in
response to nipple stimulation, suckling, or conditioned cues (e.g.,
baby’s cry).
3. True or False? Progesterone levels drop sharply after
delivery of the placenta, triggering lactogenesis II.
A) True
B) False
,Page 3 of 41
Answer: A – Progesterone withdrawal is the key trigger for the
onset of copious milk production.
Rationale: High progesterone during pregnancy inhibits milk
secretion. After placental delivery, progesterone falls, allowing
prolactin to stimulate milk synthesis.
4. Lactogenesis I (secretory differentiation) begins around
which week of pregnancy?
A) 8–10 weeks
B) 12–14 weeks
C) 16–20 weeks
D) 24–28 weeks
Answer: C – Lactogenesis I occurs during mid-pregnancy (16–20
weeks), when the mammary gland becomes capable of secreting
colostrum.
, Page 4 of 41
Rationale: By the second trimester, the breast produces colostrum,
but high progesterone levels prevent full secretion.
5. Which cells produce milk within the mammary gland?
A) Myoepithelial cells
B) Alveolar cells (lactocytes)
C) Ductal cells
D) Stromal fibroblasts
Answer: B – Alveolar cells (lactocytes) synthesize and secrete
milk components.
Rationale: Myoepithelial cells contract to eject milk; ductal cells
modify milk composition but do not produce it.
6. True or False? The let-down reflex can be inhibited by
stress, pain, or anxiety.
