Appraisal and Synthesis
Through evidence appraisal and synthesis, I discovered more about my topic in terms of treatment for these mothers and the cognitive development of the infants after they are born. The research that my group has discovered throughout this process has allowed me to learn more about Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) as well as the neurological effects of opioids on the developing brain of an infant. During this process, my assumptions about the topic have not changed. I still believe that prenatal opioid exposure is a rising problem that should continue to be studied in children and pregnant mothers. In future practice, I hope to work with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), in which this research will significantly help me in treating these infants. Knowing the signs and symptoms to expect in these infants will help me develop a detailed care plan for these babies and their mothers. For the majority of this project, my team members and I have had similar opinions in which we all care about the health and safety of these infants. During this project, we have all been able to focus on different aspects of the research and come together to collaborate and find consistent results in our articles. Luckily, throughout the process, there have not been any significant challenges we have had to overcome apart from general time management. Overall, this project has allowed us to explore the effects of prenatal opioid exposure while also learning about new forms of treatment being used for these patients.