NAS scoring Flashcards
What are the S+S of a NAS baby using a systems approach
CNS
- high pitched cry
- restlessness
- seizure
- unsettled/hyperactive
- increased muscle tone
- hyperactive moro relfex
RESP
- tachypnoea
- sneezing
- nasal congestion
- S+S resp distress
GIT
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- poor feeding
- poor weight gain
SKIN
- mottled
- excoriation - groin and buttocks
AUTONOMIC
- sweating
- fever
- yawning
CARDIAC
- tachycardia
Describe Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
NAS is a group of withdrawal symptoms which a newborn baby exhibits resulting from maternal substance use during pregnancy
- particularly opioids
Explain NAS scoring
NAS scoring is a process of assessing the severity of an infants withdrawal symptoms
Finnegan score assesses presence of CNS, autonomic and GIT symptoms and attributes a score to them
- assessed 3-4 hourly
- two scores above 12 or 3 consecutive scores averaging 8 or above indicate morphine
Explain the pharmacolgical midwifery interventinos for caring for NAS babies
Morphine - an opioid which is administered and titrated slowly to support the progressive withdrawal from opioid drugs in a neonates symptom while reducing the severity of symptoms. In doing this, neonates are able to have more protected sleep, feed more successfully and experience less neurological symptoms
Describe the midwifery care plan for a withdrawing infant using non pharmacological interventions
Swaddling
- sense of confinement and allows them to self soothe
- wrap with light cloths to avoid fever
Dummies
- allows self soothing through NNS
Holding and rocking
- provides comfort and reduces symptoms
Minimise bright light and noise
- NAS babies are sensitive to stimuli
Skin to skin
- regulates nervous system and provides sense fo security
Consider the family centred/social aspect of NAS babies care
- potentially complex social histories
- potentially requiring socal work
- potentially requiring mandated reporting
