Course Description
The prescription painkiller epidemic involving opioid use is a serious concern. It is affecting patient care and safety, the delivery of healthcare and healthcare costs across the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cites several devastating consequences that can result from prescription drug misuse including falls and fractures in older adults, rising incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, the transition to injection drug use (which has the associated risk of infection with pathogens such as hepatitis C and HIV) and increasing morbidity and mortality. It is crucial that nurses understand the opioid epidemic and their important role in reversing this trend.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:
- Explain the significance of opioid addiction in the U.S.
- Describe the signs, symptoms, and treatment of opioid misuse and withdrawal
- List at least three steps to prevent opioid misuse, including alternatives to treating pain
Intended Audience
This educational activity was developed for nurses.
CE Information
This course is approved for 1.0 contact hours by the Florida and California State Boards of Nursing.
Course Authors
This course was written by Megan Stewart, MD and Erika Probst, MSN, RNC, and edited by Brenda Kozak, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE.
Megan Stewart is a Perfusion Coordinator at Gift of Hope in Chicago. She received her MD Degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and trained in General Surgery in Grand Rapids, MI.
Erika Probst received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Portland and her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. She has over 15 years of maternal child nursing experience with her certification in maternal newborn nursing.
Brenda