Atomic Anesthesia

Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making. ⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [ NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP ] T...

Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making. ⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [ NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP ] T...

Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making. Topics included in this episode: Academic anchor habits for...

Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making. Topics included in this episode: Ketamine’s dissociative mec...

Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making. Topics included in this episode: Perspective shifts with exp...

This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast focuses on dexmedetomidine (Precedex), a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist that provides cooperative, arousable sedation, analgesia, anxiolysis, and sympatholysis with minimal respiratory depression for perioperative and ICU care. Aimed at nurse anesthesia residents, it reviews dexmedetomidine’s α2-selective pharmacology, rapid distribution and he...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand speaks with Michael Hoess, CRNA and Lead CRNA for Education at Cooper University Hospital, about the crucial role of CRNAs in austere and tactical medical environments. Drawing on over a decade of trauma and resuscitation experience, Mike shares how CRNAs contribute to training military and government medical teams operatin...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we’re talking to future nurse anesthetists who’ve just crushed the biggest milestone yet — getting accepted into CRNA school. Between acceptance and day one, there’s often a long waiting period, and this episode is your roadmap for using that time strategically. From tackling financial readiness and creating a solid academic foundation to preparing...

This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast features guest Cori James, DNP, CRNA, for a candid and practical discussion on what not to do when working with CRNA preceptors. Designed for nurse anesthesia residents, this conversation highlights the most common pitfalls students unknowingly fall into during clinical rotations—from over-socializing and being unprepared to showing poor teachability,...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand provides a detailed pharmacology review of propofol, the main IV sedative hypnotic used for induction, maintenance, and procedural sedation in anesthesia practice. The episode covers propofol’s drug class and chemistry, its lipid emulsion formulation and infection risk, and key physicochemical properties including high lipo...

This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast unpacks the real clinical risk of adrenal suppression after a single dose of etomidate, challenging common debates every anesthesia resident faces. Drawing on the latest studies, listeners will discover exactly which patient groups—cardiac, septic, trauma, pediatric, and elective—are actually vulnerable to etomidate’s effects, and when transient adrena...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, pediatric CRNA and educator Dr. Becky Motykiewicz presents a comprehensive guide for nurse anesthesia residents preparing for their pediatric anesthesia rotation. From preoperative communication strategies with parents and pediatric patients to practical tips for inhalational induction, airway management, and safe emergence, Dr. Motykiewicz shares...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we talk with Dr. Hallie D. Evans, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, a nationally recognized nurse anesthesia educator and clinician, about what it takes for CRNAs to step into the world of teaching. Dr. Evans discusses how her journey from clinical anesthesia to academic leadership began, the personal qualities that make an effective educator, and how to deter...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we tackle the complex reality of caring for patients under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a frequent challenge for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs. Covering the physiological effects and anesthetic implications of acute and chronic intoxication with alcohol, benzodiazepines, hallucinogens (such as LSD, PCP, and MDMA), cocaine, and cannabin...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we connected with Dr. David Warren, DNP, CRNA, NP to discuss the unique journey of transitioning from nurse practitioner to nurse anesthesiologist. Dr. Warren shares insights from his clinical practice, case mix, and favorite patient populations while reflecting on how his background as an NP shaped his approach to anesthesia. Listeners will learn...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand is joined by vascular anesthesia expert Rick Heuermann, DNP, MBA, CRNA, to unravel the complex pathophysiology of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and its impact on anesthetic management. Together, they break down healthy versus diseased arterial function, highlight why patients with PVD present unique challenges in the OR...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand is joined by vascular anesthesia expert Rick Heuermann, DNP, MBA, CRNA, to unravel the complex pathophysiology of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and its impact on anesthetic management. Together, they break down healthy versus diseased arterial function, highlight why patients with PVD present unique challenges in the OR...

In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, nurse anesthesia residents are guided through the pivotal moments of emergence and extubation—recognized as one of the riskiest steps in the operating room. Listeners will gain practical strategies for timing and executing a safe, efficient wake-up following general anesthesia, including the choice between restoring spontaneous breathing early for...

This is a joint episode recorded with Dr. Chloe Gomez of the My Favorite Learner podcast. This episode explores the foundational concepts of pharmacogenetics and its impact on drug responses during anesthesia, highlighting how genetic, genomic, and epigenetic variations shape individual reactions to commonly used medications in perioperative care. Designed for nurse anesthesia residents, the show...

This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast explores the emerging role of Suzetrigine, a novel non-opioid NaV1.8 channel inhibitor, in multimodal surgical pain management. Host Rhea and guest JR Phillips, a DNAP student, discuss the science, efficacy, and safety profile of Suzetrigine, its potential for opioid-sparing strategies, and its unique advantages over traditional opioids and sodium chan...

In the final installment of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia Series, we explore the unique physiology and management of burn patients, a population that differs significantly from blunt or penetrating trauma. This episode covers the classification and severity of burns, the pathophysiology of burn shock, and essential principles like calculating burn extent using the rule of nines, applying the Park...

In part 9 of the Trauma Anesthesia Series, we dive into the critical topic of mass casualty events—what defines them, how hospitals respond when resources are overwhelmed, and the principles of patient triage that determine who gets treated first. Using real-world examples, we explore common triage algorithms, the color-coded tagging system, and the difficult but necessary decisions providers must...

Welcome to part 8 of the Trauma & Burn Anesthesia Series. In this episode, we take a broad look at special populations in trauma anesthesia—pregnant, pediatric, and geriatric patients. Each of these groups presents unique physiologic challenges, risk factors, and perioperative considerations that require anesthesia providers to adapt their trauma management strategies. From managing airway swe...

This episode of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia Series explores the acute management of spinal cord injury, from mechanisms like motor vehicle accidents and falls to the growing impact on older adults. Key topics include early recognition, imaging strategies, spinal precautions, maintaining supranormal mean arterial pressure for cord perfusion, and the use of methylprednisolone to reduce inflammati...

In this episode of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia Series , we examine traumatic brain injury, the leading cause of trauma-related death in the U.S., affecting over a million people annually and leaving millions with long-term disability. We discuss the importance of the Glasgow Coma Scale, the types of primary injuries such as subdural, epidural, and intraparenchymal hematomas as well as diffuse a...