Substance Abuse

Question 1

Define drugs

Answer 1

A substance that once taken, alters the body’s mental or physical function

Question 2

Effects of cannabis:

Answer 2

-slows growth
-low BW
-placental dysfunction
-maternal psychosis due to THC

Question 3

Advice for cannabis users:

Answer 3

-stop smoking
-use filters, patches and nicotine lozenges
-refer to smoking cessation

Question 4

Effects of opioids and cocaine:

Answer 4

-PET
-placental abruption and dysfunction
-low birthweight
-? Adverse Fetal neuro-development

Question 5

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder:

Answer 5

-alcohol dependency during pregnancy
-can cause learning and behaviour problems in the child

Question 6

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Answer 6

-significant alcohol use in first 12 weeks of pregnancy
-affects facial features
-thin upper lip
-flat nasal bridge
- smooth philtrum
-upturned nose
-epicanthic folds

Question 7

Advice for alcohol users:

Answer 7

• no safe limit during pregnancy
  -do NOT stop suddenly as can cause death
  -referral to turning point
  -advised to divide alcohol consumption equally during the day

Question 8

Signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome:

Answer 8

-irritable baby
-high pitch cry
-severe nappy rash and loose stool
-jittery

Question 10

Substance use and infant feeding:

Answer 10

-do not breastfeed if under influence
-wait 24 hours if taken heroin or cocaine

Question 11

Antenatal considerations:

Answer 11

-specialist support
-screening and vaccines and toxicology
-financial and social benefits
-CoC
-A form
-serial scans

Question 12

Post-natal and neonatal care:

Answer 12

-safeguarding
-document parental practice
-methadone programme
-assess NAS