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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
An overview of clinical tools used to assess neonatal abstinence syndrome
1Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, New Orleans.
Insights
Nurses need to understand neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) assessment tools to effectively treat infants born to substance-using mothers. Proper training ensures accurate evaluations and improves infant outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pharmacology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Infants born to substance-using mothers may experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
- Clinical tools are essential for quantifying NAS severity and guiding treatment decisions.
- Accurate assessment is crucial for managing infants with moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of published assessment tools for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
- To emphasize the importance of nurse knowledge and training in using these tools.
- To highlight characteristics of an ideal NAS assessment tool.
Main Methods:
- Review of published assessment tools for neonatal abstinence syndrome.
- Discussion of the role of systematic assessments in guiding treatment.
- Emphasis on the need for standardized training and competency.
Main Results:
- Various clinical tools exist to quantify NAS severity.
- Published tools with clear definitions and protocols are preferred.
- Nurse competency and interobserver reliability are key to accurate assessments.
Conclusions:
- Nurses require comprehensive knowledge of NAS assessment tools.
- Standardized training and tool-specific materials enhance accuracy.
- Competent nursing care is critical for improving outcomes in infants with NAS.
Abstract:
Several clinical tools have been developed to quantify the severity of withdrawal signs and symptoms exhibited by infants born to substance-using mothers. Scores from the systematic assessments are used to guide treatment of infants with moderate to severe clinical signs. This article provides an overview of published assessment tools developed for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Nurses caring for infants at risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome should be knowledgeable about the tools used to evaluate these infants and guide their treatment. The ideal assessment tool should be published and include item definitions and a protocol for administering the tool. Nurses need education and training to achieve competency and interobserver reliability in the use of a selected tool. Tool-specific materials should be used to standardize training and improve accuracy in assessments. Competent and knowledgeable nurses play a critical role in improving outcomes for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
