NURS FPX 4000 Assignment 2 Applying Research Skills

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4000 Developing a Nursing Perspective

Prof. Name

Date

Applying Research Skills

The opioid epidemic, fueled by the rampant misuse and addiction to opioid medications, has emerged as a growing global health crisis. It presents a serious threat to public health and calls for urgent and comprehensive action (Ghanem et al., 2022). This paper employs scholarly research methods to identify reliable, evidence-based sources. It compiles an annotated bibliography that examines the scope of the opioid epidemic in contemporary healthcare, as well as potential strategies for intervention and prevention. 

Overview of the Healthcare Issue

Opioid abuse is a health issue because when people become addicted to opioids, treatment and recovery are difficult. This crisis results in longer hospitalizations and higher healthcare expenses. Opioid issues are alarming in healthcare environments since they could lead to dire consequences for vulnerable patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that almost 109,000 individuals lost their lives in 2022 to opioid abuse, and approximately 82,000 of these deaths involved opioids. It accounts for nearly 77% (CDC, 2024). Due to the rising crisis, interventions like Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, opioid abuse prevention measures, and public awareness have emerged as critical (Ghanem et al., 2022). Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, are crucial in educating consumers, safe prescribing, and enabling responsible opioid use and recovery from addiction.

Personal and Professional Relevance 

As a nurse, the opioid epidemic holds deep personal and professional relevance. On a personal level, I have witnessed the devastating impact of opioid addiction on patients and their families, often leading to emotional, physical, and financial distress. Professionally, I am responsible for managing pain effectively while preventing misuse, educating patients about safe medication use, and recognizing signs of substance use disorder. This crisis challenges me to advocate for safer prescribing practices, support harm reduction strategies, and contribute to multidisciplinary care plans that promote patient well-being. My role places me at the forefront of combating this epidemic, reinforcing the importance of compassionate, informed nursing care.

Academic Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles Selection

Library research skills were systematically applied to identify relevant journal articles on the opioid crisis, using targeted keywords such as “opioid epidemic,” “addiction treatment,” “opioid misuse,” “overdose prevention,” and “substance abuse in healthcare.” Research was conducted through trusted academic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, which provided access to high-quality scholarly sources. Only articles published within the past five years were considered, ensuring current and relevant evidence. The research focused on exploring the root causes, consequences, and possible interventions for opioid misuse. Findings emphasized the importance of addiction treatment, prescription monitoring, and preventative strategies in clinical practice.

Credibility and Relevance of Sources

The selected sources were critically assessed for credibility by the CRAAP criteria: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (Muis et al., 2022). Only the most recent publications of the past 5 years were utilized to ascertain currency. The peer-reviewed journal articles selected were relevant to the opioid epidemic. It is interested in treating addiction, preventing overdose, and health impacts on the public. The authority of each source was verified by verifying the authors’ identification and affiliation with legitimate institutions. Evidence-based facts, genuine citations, and peer-reviewed support guarantee the accuracy of information. To ensure fairness, the purpose of each source was considered to verify that it provided unbiased, research-based information. All selected sources were credible for the opioid epidemic study under this assessment.

Annotated Bibliography

Fishbein, D. H., & Sloboda, Z. (2022). A national strategy for preventing substance and opioid use disorders through evidence-based prevention programming that fosters healthy outcomes in our youth. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 26(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-022-00420-5

This paper outlines a multi-faceted, science-based approach to substance and opioid use disorders (SUD/OUD) prevention involving early, evidence-based interventions focused on youth. The authors note that the transition of the national focus to prevention is urgently needed, as more than 100,000 people died of overdoses in 20202021 alone. They claim that problem behavior and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)–one study found a 1030% higher risk of IV drug use with 4+ ACEs–are powerful indicators of future substance abuse.

NURS FPX 4000 Assignment 2 Applying Research Skills

The article was chosen due to its policy-relevant scope and because it advocates for the implementation of systemic prevention programs, particularly at critical stages of development. These findings can guide nurses in promoting early behavioral risk screening, collaborating on school- and community-based prevention efforts, and implementing trauma-informed care models. Among the major gaps in the national strategy identified by the authors are the absence of infrastructure to train and credential providers, as well as the need to integrate prevention into service delivery systems. These are also areas where healthcare professionals can take the lead in closing the policy-practice gap. 

Ghanem, N., Dromgoole, D., Hussein, A., & Jermyn, R. T. (2022). Review of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 122(7). https://doi.org/10.1515/jom-2021-0163 

This review explores the pressing concern of opioid overdose among individuals undergoing MAT for opioid use disorder (OUD). Several risk factors were identified, including younger age, limited time in treatment, high physical symptom burden, and use of non-prescribed benzodiazepines. Notably, the study found that shorter retention in MAT is linked to recent overdose incidents, reinforcing the importance of long-term engagement in care.

MAT has been shown to reduce opioid-related deaths significantly. The article underscores the increased vulnerability to overdose during early treatment stages, largely due to reduced opioid tolerance. It recommends expanding access to naloxone and integrating mental health with substance use treatment as effective strategies. This resource is highly relevant to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers aiming to reduce overdose rates and enhance patient outcomes through sustained care, harm reduction efforts, and a more holistic treatment approach.

NURS FPX 4000 Assignment 2 Applying Research Skills

Simon, D. H., & Masters, R. K. (2024). Institutional failures as structural determinants of suicide: The opioid epidemic and the great recession in the United States. Journal of Health and Social Behavior/Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 65(3), 415–431. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221465231223723 

This paper explores the connection between institutional failures and rising suicide rates in the U.S. from 1990 to 2017, focusing on the opioid epidemic and economic instability during the Great Recession. The study highlights how weak federal oversight of pharmaceutical companies led to widespread opioid and benzodiazepine availability, contributing to increased poisoning-related suicides, particularly among women. It also links economic decline to higher rates of nonpoisoning suicides, emphasizing the role of structural determinants—such as lack of social safety nets and economic precarity—in shaping mental health outcomes.

This article was selected for its comprehensive, sociological perspective on how large-scale systems influence public health, offering valuable insight beyond individual-level explanations. Nurses can use this information to advocate for stronger prescription regulations, conduct thorough mental health assessments, and support initiatives that address socioeconomic factors affecting patient well-being. However, the article leaves a gap in discussing actionable interventions within clinical settings, particularly how nurses and other frontline providers can help mitigate suicide risk through integrated care approaches.

Summary of the Learnings

By creating this annotated bibliography, a comprehensive compassion toward the complexity of opioid abuse and dependence. It highlights the necessity for immediate international action. The complexity of the factors contributing to the opioid epidemic was discovered through analysis and review of peer-reviewed literature. Ghanem et al. (2022) gave information on characteristics that are associated with a higher risk of overdose during MAT. It helps healthcare professionals identify high-risk individuals and enhances patient retention measures.

Furthermore, Simon and Masters (2024) highlighted the importance of prescription monitoring, education, and early recognition of vulnerable groups. It provides effective remedies to curb opioid abuse. MAT and addiction services play an important role in reducing the proliferation of opioid addiction and improving established recovery rates among individuals with OUD. To curb opioid use disorder and other substance-related problems, Fishbein and Sloboda (2022) supported the use of primary prevention means, including community-based programs.

This will result in the development of the skill of critical evaluation of scholarly sources. With the help of the CRAAP criteria, the main results of various studies were synthesized to identify research trends and inform a debate on the opioid epidemic. The annotated bibliography practice will enhance the critical evaluation and integration skills required for research on opioid misuse and addiction. It helps develop evidence-based approaches to future assessment to resolve the opioid crisis and enhance the outcomes of recovery.

References

Fishbein, D. H., & Sloboda, Z. (2022). A national strategy for preventing substance and opioid use disorders through evidence-based prevention programming that fosters healthy outcomes in our youth. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 26(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-022-00420-5

Ghanem, N., Dromgoole, D., Hussein, A., & Jermyn, R. T. (2022). Review of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 122(7). https://doi.org/10.1515/jom-2021-0163 

NURS FPX 4000 Assignment 2 Applying Research Skills

Muis, K. R., Denton, C., & Dubé, A. (2022). Identifying CRAAP on the internet: A source evaluation intervention. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(7), 239–265. http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.97.12670 

Simon, D. H., & Masters, R. K. (2024). Institutional failures as structural determinants of suicide: The opioid epidemic and the great recession in the United States. Journal of Health and Social Behavior/Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 65(3), 415–431. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221465231223723