Episode Details

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.

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In this episode:

• Why COPD is more than a lung problem — how alveolar destruction, V/Q mismatch, and cor pulmonale connect at the bedside
• How to ventilate a COPD patient intraoperatively: I:E ratios, PEEP strategy, and avoiding auto-PEEP
• The pharmacology of bronchodilators — LABAs, LAMAs, and inhaled corticosteroids — and which ones to continue on the day of surgery
• Anesthetic agent selection for reactive airways: why volatile agents help, why nitrous oxide doesn't, and when to consider TIVA
• Postoperative priorities: extubation to NIV, oxygen titration in CO2 retainers, and preventing reintubation

💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets.

• SEE/NCE Study Plan — a structured, week-by-week plan to pass your boards
• Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — every non-opioid analgesic you need to know, one page
• GPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia

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💜 PARTNERS: The Incomologists®

https://theincomologists.com/

You work hard caring for others—let us take care of you. Whether you're a W-2 employee or transitioning to a 1099 role, we understand the unique challenges healthcare professionals face, from insurance coverage to financial planning. That's where we step in.

Like you, we are a team of healthcare providers who understand your needs and help you find tailored insurance plans and financial strategies without the hassle or pressure. And we're a partner you can rely on, today and in the future.

We evaluate all available options and resources in the market to protect our clients, so contact us, and we'll get started! — Jake Bevilacqua, CRNA (jake@theincomologists.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

💜 PARTNERS: The Incomologists®

https://theincomologists.com/ You work hard caring for others—let us take care of you. Whether you’re a W-2 employee or transitioning to a 1099 role, we understand the unique challenges healthcare professionals face, from insurance coverage to financial planning. That’s where we step in. Like you, we are a team of healthcare providers who understand your needs and help you find tailored insurance plans and financial strategies without the hassle or pressure. And we’re a partner you can rely on, today and in the future. We evaluate all available options and resources in the market to protect our clients, so contact us, and we’ll get started! - Jake Bevilacqua, CRNA (jake@theincomologists.com)