In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Phillips, PhD, CRNA, to explore the fascinating world of volatile anesthetic agents—what they are, how they work, and why they matter. Dr. Phillips breaks down the basics for clinicians, students, and anyone curious about the science behind anesthesia.

But this conversation doesn’t stop at pharmacology. We also examine the growing concerns about the environmental impact of these agents, including their role as greenhouse gases and what the latest research is telling us about sustainable anesthesia practices.

Whether you're in the OR or just anesthesia-curious, join us for an insightful discussion that bridges clinical knowledge and climate awareness.

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In this special episode, I sit down with my mom—a CRNA with 25 years of experience—to talk about her journey into nurse anesthesia, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what it’s like having a daughter follow in her footsteps. We also dive into some of our favorite medications to use in practice (spoiler alert: we’re both Precedex queens 👑). Join us for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about anesthesia, family, and the art of pharmacology!

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Carrie Bowman Dalley, PhD, CRNA - Program Director and Associate Professor in the DNAP program at Georgetown University. With nearly two decades of leadership in nurse anesthesia education and a PhD in pharmacology, Dr. Bowman Dalley is a master at making complex concepts truly click.

Together, we explore the foundational principles of pharmacology every SRNA should understand - from drug-receptor interactions to clinical pearls that apply directly to the OR. Her passion for teaching and her clarity as an educator shine through in this conversation, making it a must-listen for any anesthesia student (or anyone who teaches them!).

Whether you’re brand new to pharmacology or need a refresher on the basics, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to learn more.

In this special episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with her mentor and inspiration, Dr. Sarah Giron, PhD, CRNA, Program Director at Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia. Together, they unpack the pharmacology of neuromuscular blockade—from the foundational concepts of paralytics to the groundbreaking development of sugammadex.

Dr. Giron shares her experience as a clinical researcher involved in the Phase 3 trials of sugammadex, along with practical insights for anesthesia learners navigating these complex agents in the OR. This episode blends science, storytelling, and mentorship—offering a rare chance to learn from a leader who’s shaped the field and the next generation of CRNAs.

Perfect for SRNAs, educators, and anyone passionate about advancing anesthesia practice.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with Sassoon “Sass” Elisha, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN -assistant director of the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and co‑author of Nurse Anesthesia, Case Studies in Nurse Anesthesia, and Critical Events in Anesthesia.

Heads‑up: We experienced a brief audio glitch during the first seven minutes. The conversation is still audible, but if you prefer perfect clarity, captions are available on our YouTube upload. After the seven‑minute mark, the sound is crystal clear.

Together, Chloe and Sass unpack one of the most high‑yield and frequently tested topics in anesthesia pharmacology: the autonomic nervous system. Whether you’re an SRNA prepping for the NBCRNA exam or a practicing CRNA sharpening clinical decision‑making, this episode blends foundational theory with real‑world practice.

Key topics covered

Sass also shares his teaching philosophy, insights on CRNA - SRNA mentorship.

Perfect for: SRNAs, CRNAs, anesthesia educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their grasp of autonomic pharmacology in perioperative care.

Listen & watch

💬 Connect with us
Follow @myfavoritelearners on Instagram for daily anesthesia education and pharmacology pearls.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Dr. Chloe Gomez sits down with Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, founder of the Society for Opioid-Free Anesthesia (SOFA), to explore the evolving landscape of perioperative pain management.

We go beyond the basics of opioid-sparing and dive into a truly multimodal approach - highlighting pharmacologic strategies involving ketamine, lidocaine, dexmedetomidine, magnesium, and more.

Whether you're an SRNA, CRNA, or an anesthesia educator, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and equip you with tools to design smarter, safer anesthetics.

-Why opioid-free doesn’t mean pain-free neglect
-Which adjuncts matter in clinical practice
-The patient-centered why behind multimodal plans

✨ Brought to you by My Favorite Learners—the podcast made for CRNA students, educators, and the people who never stop learning.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA is joined by educator and clinician Dr. Jeremy Heiner, faculty member and Head of Admissions at the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and co-founder of TheNurseAnesthesia.com. Together, they dive into the pharmacology of intravenous anesthetic agents and how to make smart, patient-centered decisions in real-world anesthesia care.

We’ll break down:

• Mechanisms of action for propofol, etomidate, and ketamine

• Pharmacokinetics and clinical side effects

• How patient comorbidities, hemodynamics, and procedure types influence drug choice

• Real-time decision making and evidence-based anesthesia planning

Whether you're an SRNA preparing for boards or a practicing CRNA looking to refine your pharmacology game, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and expert insight on IV anesthetic agents.

Subscribe and share this episode with your anesthesia community!

Keywords for SEO: IV anesthetics, propofol vs ketamine, etomidate anesthesia, anesthesia pharmacology podcast, SRNA podcast, nurse anesthesia education, CRNA pharmacology, choosing induction agents

In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, breaks down local anesthetics in a way that’s clear, memorable, and clinically relevant—whether you’re prepping for boards, placing your first spinal, or managing labor epidurals. Based on Chapter 10 of Nurse Anesthesia by Elisha et al. (2023), Chloe covers:

• Mechanism of Action: How local anesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels

• Onset, Duration & Intensity: Why pKa, lipid solubility, protein binding, and vascularity matter

• LAST (Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity): Early signs, treatment protocols, and real OB case studies

• Ester vs. Amide: Easy ways to remember which is which - and why it matters

With clinical tips, board exam pearls, and her signature analogies (hello, string vs. power cord 🧵🔌), Chloe helps CRNA students truly understand local anesthetics, not just memorize facts.

📌 Perfect for: SRNAs, CRNAs, nursing students, anesthesia educators, and anyone wanting to solidify their grasp of local anesthetic pharmacology.

🎧 Subscribe for more board-focused, patient-safe content delivered in an easy-to-digest format.

In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, CRNA, breaks down the complex topic of pharmacokinetics in a clear and clinically relevant way. Designed for SRNAs, CRNAs, anesthesia residents, and anyone preparing for boards, this episode covers the foundational concept of "what the body does to the drug"—also known as ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion.

You'll learn:

• The bioavailability of common drug routes (IV, oral, IM, subQ, rectal)

• What influences distribution (lipid solubility, compartment models, volume of distribution)

• The difference between first-order and zero-order kinetics

• How hepatic metabolism works (Phase I & II, CYP450 system)

• What context-sensitive half-time means in real anesthesia cases

• How to think through renal clearance, clearance equations, and patient factors like age, temp, and comorbidities

This episode is packed with real-world analogies and board-style insights that bring pharmacokinetics to life—perfect for anyone learning how to time their anesthesia meds or fine-tune a propofol drip.

💡 Whether you're reviewing for your anesthesia pharmacology exam or improving your patient care in the OR, this episode will make a tough topic finally click.

Struggling to stay awake while reading your anesthesia textbooks? In this episode of My Favorite Learners, CRNA and educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA dives into Make It Stick - the groundbreaking book on how we actually learn best - and translates its key lessons for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs).

You’ll learn practical strategies like:
✅ Retrieval practice & brain dumps (your brain’s workout)
✅ Spaced repetition vs. marathon cram sessions
✅ Interleaving (why mixing topics boosts retention)
✅ Mind maps, reflection tools, and apps like Anki & Quizlet

Whether you’re preparing for pharmacology exams, clinicals, or the NCE, these evidence-based study methods will help you retain knowledge long-term and show up as a stronger, more confident provider in the OR.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and discover why learning should feel hard—because that’s how it sticks.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA sits down with Dr. Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA to explore one of anesthesia’s most urgent crisis scenarios: Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST).

Together, they break down:

• How LAST progresses from early CNS warning signs (tinnitus, metallic taste, agitation) to cardiovascular collapse

• The mechanism of sodium-channel blockade and why high-risk populations (pregnancy, extremes of age, hepatic/renal disease) need extra vigilance

• Prevention strategies: test doses, incremental injection, ultrasound guidance, and crisis checklists

• The history and pharmacology behind lipid emulsion therapy (lipid rescue) and the latest simplified dosing updates

• Adjustments to ACLS protocols specific to LAST (small-dose epinephrine, avoiding vasopressin)

• Practical insights from both OB anesthesia and regional anesthesia practice

Dr. Wilson also shares his journey from practicing CRNA to academic leader, faculty, and mentor through CRNA School Prep Academy, along with timeless advice for anesthesia learners: “The days are long, but the weeks are short.”

Whether you’re a SRNA preparing for boards, a CRNA in clinical practice, or an educator teaching crisis management, this episode will leave you more confident in recognizing, preventing, and treating LAST.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share with your anesthesia colleagues, and check out the ASRA LAST checklist for your own practice setting.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with Dr. Rhea Temmermand, PhDc, MSN, CRNA, FAANA—neuropharmacology researcher at Drexel University, adjunct professor, textbook co-editor, and co-founder of Atomic Anesthesia—to make pharmacogenetics practical for the OR.

We unpack how genetic variability shapes drug response beyond PK/PD: SNPs, drug targets and transporters, and the CYP450 story (including CYP2D6 phenotypes and why prodrugs like codeine can be risky). Rhea debunks the redhead/CYP2D6 myth, clarifies pseudocholinesterase deficiency with the dibucaine number you’ll see on boards, and walks through malignant hyperthermia (RYR1/CACNA1S) with real cases—plus the team dynamics of giving RYANODEX under pressure. We close with when genetic testing might help, ethical considerations, and Rhea’s evergreen clinical mantra: start low, titrate slow, go multimodal.

Timestamps
00:52 Rhea’s path from clinical CRNA to researcher & educator
08:00 Polymorphisms, CYP450, and phenotype basics
20:30 Pseudocholinesterase deficiency & dibucaine number (boards tip)
27:30 MH recognition, treatment, and RYANODEX in the real world
32:30 Pharmacogenetic testing: utility & ethics
39:00 Practical takeaways for SRNAs & CRNAs

Perfect for: SRNAs prepping for boards, CRNAs updating practice, and anyone curious about precision anesthesia.

CRNA educator Chloe Gomez is joined by Chrissy Massaro, MSN, CRNA and Anna Jobe, DNP, CRNA to break down perioperative anaphylaxis - from the first red flags (rising peak pressures, bronchospasm, hypotension) to epinephrine-first treatment and what to document so patients stay safe long-term. We walk through a real-world appendectomy scenario, discuss common OR triggers (NMBAs, cefazolin, latex), tryptase labs, biphasic reactions, and practical tips for learners: early recognition, clear differentials, and communicating with your team.
Follow the guests: @chrissycrna and @annajcrna, founders of @confidentcareacademy on TikTok and Instagram!

www.confidentcareacademy.com

for education purposes only; not medical advice.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA sits down with Becky Motykiewics, DNAP, CRNA, a pediatric anesthesia expert and educator at Drexel University. Together they break down why “kids are not just small adults,” diving into pediatric pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and pharmacodynamics (volatile agents, opioids, benzos, neuromuscular blockers). From the higher MAC needs of infants to clinical pearls for managing pyloric stenosis and tonsillectomies, this episode gives SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers practical insights for caring for neonates and children.

Whether you’re starting your first pediatric rotation or brushing up on safe dosing, you’ll walk away with confidence, memorable analogies, and board-relevant takeaways.

Keywords: pediatric anesthesia, CRNA podcast, pharmacokinetics in pediatrics, pharmacodynamics in pediatrics, SRNA education, neonatal anesthesia, pharmacology podcast, anesthesia pharmacology

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, Dr. Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA sits down with Dr. Zafar Anwar, DNP, CRNA of NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell for a high-yield, clinically grounded deep dive into vasopressors and hemodynamic management.

Together, they break down the pipes and the pump approach to understanding vasopressors - covering alpha, beta, and dopamine receptor physiology, selectivity, and how common agents like phenylephrine, ephedrine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, milrinone, and vasopressin work at the molecular and organ-system level.

You’ll hear practical clinical pearls on:
• Choosing the right vasopressor for hypotension under spinal anesthesia
• Dopamine vs. dobutamine on boards and in the OR
• Why phenylephrine is now preferred for parturients
• How tachyphylaxis develops with ephedrine
• Managing cardiogenic shock, vasoplegia, and refractory hypotension
• Linking ACLS concepts (H’s & T’s, end-tidal CO₂) to anesthesia practice

Dr. Anwar also shares his path into academia, the power of mentorship, and advice for SRNAs and ICU nurses transitioning into anesthesia training.

This episode is perfect for SRNAs, CRNAs, anesthesia residents, ICU nurses, and anyone looking to strengthen their anesthesia pharmacology and vasopressor decision-making.

Keywords: CRNA, SRNA, vasopressors, anesthesia pharmacology, hemodynamics, phenylephrine vs ephedrine, dopamine vs dobutamine, vasopressin, vasoplegic syndrome, nurse anesthesia education, anesthesia podcast, My Favorite Learners.

In this episode, Chloe sits down with Tanner and Cole from Core Anesthesia for a high-yield, conversational breakdown of malignant hyperthermia - one of anesthesia’s most urgent and misunderstood crises. From the molecular dysfunction of the ryanodine receptor to the early OR red flags that every anesthesia provider must recognize, this episode blends science, clinical pearls, and real-world experiences that bring MH to life.

Together, they cover:
• What actually happens inside the muscle cell during an MH crisis
• Early recognition: unexplained ETCO₂ rise, rigidity, acidosis, and more
• Triggers, safe alternatives, and prepping an MH-safe anesthesia machine
• Dantrolene vs. Ryanodex in practice
• Postoperative management and recurrence risk
• Mental resilience in crisis management - and how to stop carrying every case home

Whether you’re a CRNA, SRNA, anesthesia student, or ICU nurse exploring the profession, this episode is packed with insight, support, and wisdom from three experienced clinicians and educators.

Antihypertensive medications don’t have to feel overwhelming or memorization-heavy. In this solo lecture, Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down antihypertensive pharmacology through physiology, mechanisms of action, and real-world anesthesia implications - exactly what SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers need for boards and the operating room.

This episode walks through the major classes of antihypertensives, focusing on how each drug lowers blood pressure rather than relying on disconnected lists. You’ll learn how antihypertensives interact with preload, afterload, heart rate, contractility, and systemic vascular resistance, and why those effects matter during induction, maintenance, and emergence from anesthesia.

Key topics covered include:

• Beta blockers (β₁ vs β₂ effects, perioperative continuation, blunted sympathetic response)

• ACE inhibitors (ACE-Is) & ARBs: RAAS physiology, vasodilation, and refractory hypotension

• Calcium channel blockers (DHP vs non-DHP): vascular vs nodal effects

• Alpha agonists and antagonists

• How antihypertensives alter MAP, CO, SVR, and reflex tachycardia

• Why certain antihypertensives increase the risk of induction hypotension

• What to hold, continue, or anticipate on the day of surgery

Throughout the episode, complex pharmacology is tied directly to:

• Hemodynamic management in anesthesia

• Common board scenarios and NBCRNA-style reasoning

• Vasopressor choice and response

• Drug interactions with propofol, volatile agents, opioids, and neuraxial anesthesia

This lecture emphasizes understanding over memorization, helping anesthesia learners build a framework they can use in high-stakes clinical moments - not just exam day.

🎧 Antihypertensives explained for anesthesia learners - fewer flashcards, more confidence, safer patients.

Antiarrhythmics don’t have to feel like chaos. In this solo lecture, CRNA educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down antiarrhythmic pharmacology using clear physiology, memorable frameworks, and anesthesia-specific clinical relevance - perfect for SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers preparing for boards and clinical practice.

This episode walks step-by-step through the Vaughan Williams classification system (Class I–IV) and explains why these drugs work, not just what list they belong to. You’ll learn how antiarrhythmics interact with sodium, potassium, calcium channels, and beta receptors, and how those effects translate to changes in phase 0 depolarization, action potential duration, refractory periods, and conduction velocity.

Key topics covered include:

• Class I sodium channel blockers (IA, IB, IC): how they alter phase 0, QRS width, and conduction

• Class II beta blockers: AV node effects, rate control, and anesthesia considerations

• Class III potassium channel blockers: action potential prolongation, QT interval risk, and torsades

• Class IV calcium channel blockers: nodal suppression and hemodynamic effects

• Why electrolytes (K⁺, Mg²⁺) matter when using antiarrhythmics

• How antiarrhythmics can become pro-arrhythmic

• What anesthesia providers must watch for in the OR, ICU, and PACU

This lecture emphasizes mechanism-based understanding, tying pharmacology directly to:

• ECG changes

• Perioperative risk stratification

• Volatile anesthetics and arrhythmia risk

• Drug interactions common in anesthesia practice

• Board-style clinical reasoning for the NBCRNA NCE

If you’ve ever memorized the Vaughan Williams classes and immediately forgotten them, this episode is designed to finally make antiarrhythmics stick - so you can reason through arrhythmias with confidence instead of panic.

🎧 Antiarrhythmics decoded for anesthesia learners - fewer tables, more understanding, safer practice.

Anticoagulants don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this solo episode, CRNA educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down the coagulation cascade and anticoagulant pharmacology in a clear, intuitive way designed for SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers preparing for boards and real-world clinical practice.

We start with a simple, step-by-step walkthrough of the intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways, then connect that physiology directly to how commonly used anticoagulants work — including unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), warfarin (Coumadin), and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

This episode goes beyond memorization and focuses on mechanism-based understanding, explaining:

• Why heparin potentiates antithrombin III and primarily inhibits factor IIa (thrombin) and factor Xa

• Why PT/INR rises first with warfarin due to factor VII’s short half-life — not because warfarin “blocks the extrinsic pathway”

• How DOACs selectively target factor Xa or thrombin

• Which labs actually reflect drug effect (aPTT, PT/INR, ACT, anti-Xa)

• How electrolyte imbalances can turn anticoagulants into pro-arrhythmics or bleeding risks

We also cover high-yield anesthesia considerations, including:

• Neuraxial anesthesia timing and safety

• ASRA-aligned anticoagulant hold times

• Reversal agents (protamine, vitamin K, PCCs, andexanet alfa, idarucizumab)

• Practical OR case scenarios you are likely to see in real practice

If you’re studying for the NBCRNA NCE, teaching anesthesia pharmacology, or just want anticoagulants to finally make sense, this episode is designed to help you stop memorizing tables - and start building safe anesthetic plans.

🎧 Educational, board-relevant, and clinically grounded - this is anticoagulation for anesthesia providers who want to truly understand the “why.”

Respiratory pharmacology can feel deceptively simple — until you’re managing bronchospasm, hypoxia, or an unstable airway in the OR. In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners, CRNA and clinical faculty Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down respiratory physiology and pharmacology in a way that actually makes sense for boards, anesthesia practice, and real-time decision making.

In this episode, we cover:

• Beta-2 agonists and how they work at the molecular level

• The Gs → adenylyl cyclase → cAMP → PKA pathway explained without memorization

• Why epinephrine works in severe bronchospasm

• The difference between bronchodilation, airway inflammation, and mucus plugging

• Where steroids (like methylprednisolone) actually fit — and where they don’t

• Common board traps and anesthesia-specific clinical pearls

🧠 Key focus: understanding why these drugs work - not just when to give them.

If you’ve ever memorized respiratory drugs without fully trusting yourself to manage a crashing airway, this episode is for you. We connect physiology to pharmacology, pharmacology to practice, and practice to patient safety — so you can stop data-dumping and start thinking like an anesthesia provider.

Perfect for:

• SRNAs and nurse anesthesia students

• CRNAs teaching or precepting learners

• ICU nurses transitioning to anesthesia

• Anyone who wants respiratory concepts to finally click

As always, this episode is about clarity, confidence, and keeping patients safe - one breath at a time.

In today’s episode of My Favorite Learners, Chloe sits down with Dr. Becky Ashlock, DNP, CRNA - UC Davis faculty member, OB anesthesia clinician, and lifelong educator - to break down one of the most high-yield and clinically essential topics in anesthesia: endocrine pharmacology.

Whether you're an SRNA preparing for boards, a CRNA in clinical practice, or a learner who wants to understand physiology on a deeper level, this conversation gives you the real-world anesthesia implications you actually need in the OR.

We cover:

• Insulin pharmacokinetics, insulin pumps & intraoperative glucose management

• Hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism and how each affects anesthetic planning

• Corticosteroids, HPA axis suppression & when to give stress-dose steroids

• Medication interactions every anesthesia provider should recognize

• SGLT2 inhibitors & the rising concern of euglycemic DKA

• Practical frameworks for thinking through endocrine disorders in anesthesia

Dr. Ashlock blends physiology, clinical expertise, and decades of teaching experience to help learners move beyond memorization and actually understand the “why” behind endocrine management in the OR.

Perfect for anesthesia students, new grads, CRNAs, and anyone wanting a stronger grasp of endocrine pharmacology.

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, we break down three high-stakes anesthesia emergencies that every provider must recognize quickly: cyanide toxicity, carbon monoxide poisoning, and methemoglobinemia.

You’ll learn how to differentiate these conditions in real time when oxygenation doesn’t match the clinical picture, why standard monitors can be misleading, and how to choose the correct treatment under pressure.

We cover key mechanisms, classic board-style clues, and the pharmacology behind life-saving antidotes - so you can think fast, act confidently, and be ready for both the OR and the NCE.