International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What is the primary concern when assessing medication safety for breastfeeding mothers?

1. Cost of the medication

2. Severity of potential side effects

3. Effect on infant health

4. Dosage schedules

The correct answer is: Effect on infant health

When assessing medication safety for breastfeeding mothers, the primary concern centers on the effect of the medication on infant health. This is crucial because medications taken by the mother may be transferred to the breast milk and thus have the potential to impact the breastfeeding infant. Healthcare providers must evaluate whether the medication poses any risks to the infant, considering factors such as metabolism, developmental stage, and any existing health issues the infant may have. The goal is to ensure that the benefits of the medication for the mother outweigh any potential risks to the infant's health. While severity of potential side effects and dosage schedules are important considerations for understanding how a medication might affect the mother and ensure effective treatment, they ultimately feed into the larger concern about the well-being of the nursing infant. The cost of the medication, while relevant in a healthcare context, does not directly pertain to the safety and health of the infant in relation to breastfeeding. Thus, when prioritizing factors for medication safety, the infant's health takes precedence.