Understanding Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): Babies Addicted to Drugs

Contact Hours: 2

Author(s):

Danielle E. Leach MSN, RNC-NIC

Course Overview

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a growing public health problem in the United States, as it is related to the opioid epidemic. NAS is the leading problem of medical and developmental issues in newborns and can have harmful long-term outcomes.  Nurses, especially those who frequently work with neonates and their mothers, need to be aware of this vulnerable population and the specific care that they need.  This course will examine the incidence of NAS, the clinical presentation, how to assess NAS, treatments, and long-term outcomes based on research and clinical practice guidelines.

Course Outline

  1. Introduction
  2. Incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
  3. Clinical Presentation
  4. Scoring NAS
  5. Nonpharmacological Interventions
  6. Pharmacological Interventions
  7. Long-term Outcomes
  8. Conclusion

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, the learner will rate 4 out of 5 on the Likert Scale for their ability to:

  1. Explain what Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is and the corresponding symptomology.
  2. List both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for treating an infant with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
  3. Describe the possible long-term outcomes a child could face after a diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Accreditations and Approvals

CE Credit Logo
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (P0614)
  • California Board of Registered Nursing (CEP 17418)
  • Kentucky Board of Nursing (7-0090)
  • Louisiana State Board of Nursing (58)
  • Florida Board of Nursing (50-23983)
  • Delaware Board of Nursing (DE-24-010127)
  • Alabama Board of Nursing (#ABNP1577)
  • Iowa Board of Nursing (#393)
  • Kansas Board of Nursing (LT0340-0325)

Approved by the Board of Nursing in every state, you can complete your RN, LVN, and APRN CEUs with confidence.

Accreditation Statement

Nursing CE Central LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

It will take the average learner 120 minutes to complete and awards 2 contact hours of continuing education.

Written For

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)

Requirements for Completion

  1. Enrollment in the course by the learner
  2. Read and learn all course materials
  3. Complete the course evaluation
  4. Attest and testify learning of the course materials

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

Nursing CE Central nor any of the authors, planners, content experts, or any contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.