Atomic Anesthesia

40 Episodes
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By: Rhea Temmermand, PhD, CRNA & Sachi Lord, MSN, CRNA

Welcome to Atomic Anesthesia, the essential podcast for nurse anesthesia residents seeking to master both basic and clinical science education (and RNs looking to become CRNAs, too!). Join us as we break down tough science concepts and demonstrating their practical clinical application in real-world scenarios. Each episode of Atomic Anesthesia is crafted to provide comprehensive explanations of complex scientific principles, tailored specifically for the needs of nurse anesthesia residents or nurses preparing for graduate school. Whether you're grappling with pharmacology, physiology, or any other challenging subject, our expert hosts are here to guide you through every step of the learning...

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CABG ANESTHESIA FROM PUMP TO PROTAMINE │ EP122
CABG ANESTHESIA FROM PUMP TO PROTAMINE │ EP122 episode artwork
#122
Last Monday at 1:00 PM

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform.

The pump, the cannulas, the cardioplegia, the drips. CABG can feel like too many moving parts to keep straight for boards. In Week 3 of our 12-week SEE/NCE series, we tie every...


EKG AND DYSRHYTHMIAS WITHOUT SKIPPING A BEAT (PREMIUM) │ EP121
EKG AND DYSRHYTHMIAS WITHOUT SKIPPING A BEAT (PREMIUM) │ EP121 episode artwork
#121
Last Friday at 1:00 PM

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform.

A lot of EKG questions are really measurement questions in disguise, and a scary strip on the monitor is sometimes just a loose lead. In this members-only Week 2 episode of our 12-week...


ANTICOAGULANTS AND REVERSAL IN ONE CLEAN CASCADE │ EP120
ANTICOAGULANTS AND REVERSAL IN ONE CLEAN CASCADE │ EP120 episode artwork
#120
10/14/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform.

Strange suffixes, different labs, different hold times and a different antidote for every drug. Anticoagulants are where a lot of board points get lost. In Week 2 of our 12-week SEE/NCE series...


VALVULAR HEART DISEASE WITHOUT THE HEARTACHE │ EP119
VALVULAR HEART DISEASE WITHOUT THE HEARTACHE │ EP119 episode artwork
#119
10/12/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform.

Valvular heart disease feels like a memorization topic, but the table of arrows in every review book isn't random. In Week 2 of our 12-week SEE/NCE series, we show you how two...


ADME UP: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PHARMACOKINETIC CONCEPTS (PREMIUM) │ EP118
ADME UP: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PHARMACOKINETIC CONCEPTS (PREMIUM) │ EP118 episode artwork
#118
10/09/2026

In this premium episode, we’re breaking down pharmacokinetics, the concepts that explain what happens to a drug after it enters the body. From distribution and protein binding to metabolism, clearance, and context-sensitive half-time, we’ll connect the equations and terminology to how anesthetic drugs actually behave in the OR and focus on the high-yield concepts you need to know for the SEE/NCE.

In this episode:

Volume of distribution, protein binding, and drug distributionClearance, elimination, and half-lifeFirst-order vs. zero-order kineticsHepatic extraction ratio and factors that affect drug metabolismContext-sensitive half-time and continuous infusionsHigh-yield pharmacokinetic concepts for the...


SEDATION SHOWDOWN: BARBITURATES VS. BENZODIAZEPINES │ EP117
SEDATION SHOWDOWN: BARBITURATES VS. BENZODIAZEPINES │ EP117 episode artwork
#117
10/07/2026

In this episode, we’re covering barbiturates and benzodiazepines, two drug classes that both act at the GABA-A receptor but have important differences in their pharmacology, clinical effects, and reversal.

In this episode:

How barbiturates and benzodiazepines modify the GABA-A receptorWhy barbiturates increase chlo ride channel duration while benzodiazepines increase frequencyMethohexital, thiopental, midazolam, diazepam, and lorazepamKey pharmacokinetic and clinical differences between the major drugsFlumazenil reversal and the board-relevant risks you need to remember

This episode is part of our 12-week SEE/NCE podcast series, designed to follow the Atomic Anesthesia SEE/NCE Study Plan we...


BLOCK PARTY: NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKERS (PARALYTICS) FOR THE SEE/NCE │ EP116
BLOCK PARTY: NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKERS (PARALYTICS) FOR THE SEE/NCE │ EP116 episode artwork
#116
10/05/2026

Neuromuscular blockers are packed with high-yield SEE/NCE material and knowing the drug names isn’t enough. In this episode, we break down the pharmacology you need to understand so you can apply it to board-style questions and clinical scenarios.

In this episode:

Depolarizing vs nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockadeSuccinylcholine pharmacology, contraindications & major complicationsRocuronium, vecuronium & cisatracuriumPseudocholinesterase deficiency & the dibucaine numberFactors that potentiate or cause resistance to neuromuscular blockadeReversal, residual blockade & high-yield board pearls

This episode is part of our 12-week SEE/NCE podcast series, designed to follow the Atomic Anesthesia SEE/NCE Study Plan week by we...


CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY: PROTECTING THE BRAIN ONE CLAMP AT A TIME │ EP115
CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY: PROTECTING THE BRAIN ONE CLAMP AT A TIME │ EP115 episode artwork
#115
09/29/2026

Carotid endarterectomy is a critical procedure requiring careful management to protect cerebral perfusion, especially during cross-clamping. This episode delves into essential intraoperative considerations, particularly mean arterial pressure (MAP) targets, and strategies to maintain cerebral blood flow through monitoring and potential shunting.

Preoperative assessment and baseline establishmentIntraoperative monitoring techniques and A-line importanceMAP target calculation and cerebral autoregulation adjustmentsInduction and maintenance anesthesia specificsStrategies for smooth emergence and minimizing complications

FREE RESOURCE FOR THIS EPISODE:

SEE/NCE Study Plan — A structured, week-by-week plan to pass your boards. Head to atomicanesthesia.com/freebies/see-nce-study-plan to grab it free.

...


THE TWITCHING HOUR: TRAIN-OF-FOUR EXPLAINED │ EP114
THE TWITCHING HOUR: TRAIN-OF-FOUR EXPLAINED │ EP114 episode artwork
#114
09/23/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Train-of-four basics, including what the twitches actually represent and how to interpret your TOF countTOF count vs TOF ratio, understanding fade, and why four twitches does not necessarily mean...


VASODILATORS IN THE OR: WHEN THE PRESSURE NEEDS TO DROP NOW │ EP113
VASODILATORS IN THE OR: WHEN THE PRESSURE NEEDS TO DROP NOW │ EP113 episode artwork
#113
09/11/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

The three mechanism buckets every OR vasodilator falls into — nitric oxide donors, calcium channel blockers, alpha antagonists — and why the bucket tells you the side effect profile before you ever...


DECODING DEXAMETHASONE'S ANTIEMETIC EFFECT (MECHANISM EXPLAINED) │ EP112
DECODING DEXAMETHASONE'S ANTIEMETIC EFFECT (MECHANISM EXPLAINED) │ EP112 episode artwork
#112
09/08/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Exactly how PONV happens in the brain, no vague "vomiting center" hand wavingAll 5 real mechanisms behind how dexamethasone actually stops nausea and vomitingThe practical dosing, timing, and combination strategy...


THE DIFFICULT AIRWAY ALGORITHM, STEP-BY-STEP │ EP111
THE DIFFICULT AIRWAY ALGORITHM, STEP-BY-STEP │ EP111 episode artwork
#111
09/04/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

The three decisions that shape every airway plan: awake or asleep, noninvasive or invasive, and preserve or ablate spontaneous ventilationThe most important fork in the algorithm, can you oxygenate...


10 HIGH-YIELD SEE/NCE BOARD QUESTIONS EXPLAINED │ EP110
10 HIGH-YIELD SEE/NCE BOARD QUESTIONS EXPLAINED │ EP110 episode artwork
#110
09/01/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Ten challenging SEE/NCE board questions, one from every corner of the NBCRNA blueprint, each read in full board style with a breakdown of why the right answer wins...


PREECLAMPSIA AND THE OB PATIENT: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY THAT SAVES LIVES │ EP109
PREECLAMPSIA AND THE OB PATIENT: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY THAT SAVES LIVES │ EP109 episode artwork
#109
08/21/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

The cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, and coagulation changes of normal pregnancy you need to know before you can recognize what's broken in preeclampsiaWhy preeclampsia is fundamentally a placenta problem that...


CRNA WORKFORCE CHANGES: DO THESE THINGS TO LAND YOUR PERFECT JOB │ EP108
CRNA WORKFORCE CHANGES: DO THESE THINGS TO LAND YOUR PERFECT JOB  │ EP108 episode artwork
#108
08/14/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Why the anesthesia staffing shortage has created one of the strongest job markets ever for new CRNAsWhat chief CRNAs are actually looking for during interviews and how to stand...


REGIONAL ANESTHESIA 101: BLOCKS EVERY CRNA SHOULD KNOW │ EP107
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA 101: BLOCKS EVERY CRNA SHOULD KNOW │ EP107 episode artwork
#107
08/13/2026

Regional anesthesia is one of the highest-yield, most heavily tested areas on the boards, but most review content buries the clinically useful details under anatomy that never gets asked. This episode breaks down the brachial plexus approaches boards actually tests, the truncal and lower extremity blocks showing up in modern multimodal protocols, and the complication patterns examiners use as answer traps.

In this episode:

The four brachial plexus approaches and why phrenic nerve risk drops as you move from interscalene to axillaryWhy adductor canal block has replaced femoral nerve block for TKA, and the volume myths...


THE 5 OPIOIDS YOU ACTUALLY USE IN THE OR │ EP106
THE 5 OPIOIDS YOU ACTUALLY USE IN THE OR │ EP106 episode artwork
#106
08/07/2026

Understanding opioid selection in the OR is all about recognizing pharmacokinetics and how they align with surgical needs and patient factors, rather than focusing solely on receptor effects. This episode explores the five opioids you use most—morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, remifentanil, and hydromorphone—and offers a framework for choosing optimally among them.

Opioid receptor mechanisms and their clinical outcomesLipid solubility's role in opioid kineticsPharmacokinetics of morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, remifentanil, and hydromorphoneManaging side effects like respiratory depression and opioid-induced hyperalgesiaGuidelines for opioid selection based on case specifics and patient renal function

Resources

Atomic Anesthesia Platform — In-dep...


COMPLEX I, SEVOFLURANE, AND THE VENEZUELAN MITOCHONDRIAL VARIANT │ EP105
COMPLEX I, SEVOFLURANE, AND THE VENEZUELAN MITOCHONDRIAL VARIANT │ EP105 episode artwork
#105
07/31/2026

A recently identified genetic mutation, passed down on the maternal line, can cause otherwise healthy patients to develop severe and often permanent neurological injury after routine sevoflurane exposure. This episode breaks down the underlying mitochondrial mechanism, why TIVA with propofol is the safer anesthetic strategy, and the family history red flags every provider should be screening for.

A newly identified genetic mutation that turns routine sevoflurane exposure into catastrophic, permanent neurological injuryThe mitochondrial mechanism behind it, and why some patients have zero reserve capacity to absorb the hitWhy TIVA with propofol becomes the clear anesthetic choice once you...


PROPOFOL: THE DRUG YOU THINK YOU KNOW │ EP104
PROPOFOL: THE DRUG YOU THINK YOU KNOW │ EP104 episode artwork
#104
07/28/2026

Propofol, a cornerstone in anesthesia practice, functions as a positive allosteric modulator at the GABA-A receptor. This episode explores its receptor pharmacology, the mechanisms behind its dose-dependent clinical effects, and addresses common questions like propofol infusion syndrome and pain on injection.

Receptor pharmacology and allosteric modulationPharmacokinetics and context-sensitive half-timeCardiac and respiratory effectsRisk and management of propofol infusion syndromeHandling egg allergy concernsStrategies to reduce pain on injection

FREE RESOURCE FOR THIS EPISODE:

GPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia. Head to atomicanesthesia.com/freebies/gpcr-cheat-sheet to grab it free.

MORE FREE ST...


HIGH & TOTAL SPINAL: THE EARLIEST SYMPTOMS YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW FOR BOARDS │ EP103
HIGH & TOTAL SPINAL: THE EARLIEST SYMPTOMS YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW FOR BOARDS │ EP103 episode artwork
#103
07/23/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

The critical distinction between high spinal and total spinal that everyone can define but few can actually tell apartWhy a negative aspiration on a labor epidural doesn't guarantee the...


THE STUDENT-PRECEPTOR RELATIONSHIP: WHAT TO EXPECT, HOW TO THRIVE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS (PART 2) │ EP102
THE STUDENT-PRECEPTOR RELATIONSHIP: WHAT TO EXPECT, HOW TO THRIVE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS (PART 2) │ EP102 episode artwork
#102
07/20/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Jake and Alex discuss The non-clinical conversations every preceptor should be having, including finances, the post-graduation credentialing gap, and disability insuranceWhy student wellbeing directly affects learning and the small...


THE STUDENT-PRECEPTOR RELATIONSHIP: WHAT TO EXPECT, HOW TO THRIVE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS (PART 1) │ EP101
THE STUDENT-PRECEPTOR RELATIONSHIP: WHAT TO EXPECT, HOW TO THRIVE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS (PART 1) │ EP101 episode artwork
#101
07/16/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Jake and Alex discuss the most important relationship in CRNA school and why the transition to preceptor happens before most new grads feel readyHow to set the right tone...


THE BIGGEST THING HOLDING YOU BACK (PSST...ITS NOT YOUR TALENT) │ EP100
THE BIGGEST THING HOLDING YOU BACK (PSST...ITS NOT YOUR TALENT) │ EP100 episode artwork
#100
07/14/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Why your biggest limitation is often your mindset, not your intelligence, work ethic, or backgroundHow to build real confidence through action, overcome self-doubt, and break through limiting beliefsWhy thinking...


MECHANICAL VENTILATION MODE BASICS EVERY SRNA/NAR SHOULD KNOW │ EP99
MECHANICAL VENTILATION MODE BASICS EVERY SRNA/NAR SHOULD KNOW │ EP99 episode artwork
#99
07/07/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

The major ventilation modes used on anesthesia machines, including volume control, pressure control, PCV-VG, and pressure support ventilationHow each mode works, what it guarantees, and the key advantages and...


YOUR COPD PATIENT IS ON THE TABLE - NOW WHAT? │ EP98
YOUR COPD PATIENT IS ON THE TABLE - NOW WHAT? │ EP98 episode artwork
#98
06/16/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Why COPD is more than a lung problem — how alveolar destruction, V/Q mismatch, and cor pulmonale connect at the bedsideHow to ventilate a COPD patient intraoperatively: I:E ra...


SEVOFLURANE, ISOFLURANE, DESFLURANE: WHICH ONE AND WHEN? │ EP97
SEVOFLURANE, ISOFLURANE, DESFLURANE: WHICH ONE AND WHEN? │ EP97 episode artwork
#97
06/09/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Why desflurane needs its own specialized Tec 6 vaporizer (and what its 22.8°C boiling point means for safe delivery)The four inhalational agents you need to know cold — sevoflurane, isoflurane, des...


STAYING COOL UNDER PRESSURE: LESSONS FROM A FLIGHT PARAMEDIC │ EP96
STAYING COOL UNDER PRESSURE: LESSONS FROM A FLIGHT PARAMEDIC  │ EP96 episode artwork
#96
06/05/2026

Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA educators Rhea Temmermand and 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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Introduction to our new partners, Jake & John, from the IncomologistsLessons from John's experience as a flight paramedic that we can all apply to crisis management for anesthesia practice

💜 FREE DOW...


WORLD CONGRESS OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS: WHAT I LEARNED IN THE DOWN UNDER │ EP95
WORLD CONGRESS OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS: WHAT I LEARNED IN THE DOWN UNDER │ EP95 episode artwork
#95
05/20/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform: http://atomicanesthesia.com

In this episode:

Atomic Anesthesia platform 2.0 updates, including faster performance and new study features.Highlights from the World Congress of Nurse Anesthetists in BrisbaneOverview of International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists and global...


XENOTRANSPLANTATION: THE END OF ORGAN SHORTAGE? │ EP94
XENOTRANSPLANTATION: THE END OF ORGAN SHORTAGE? │ EP94 episode artwork
#94
04/20/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform.

⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP]

In this episode:

Xenotransplantation is becoming clinically real, using genetic engineering to allow pig organs to function in humansRecent cases, including 271 days of pig kidney supp...


STOP OVERTHINKING YOUR MISTAKES IN CRNA SCHOOL AND ACTUALLY MOVE ON │ EP93
STOP OVERTHINKING YOUR MISTAKES IN CRNA SCHOOL AND ACTUALLY MOVE ON │ EP93 episode artwork
#93
04/03/2026

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.

Want more content like this? Become a member of our learning platform.

⚠️ SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER: [NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP]

In this episode:

Why overthinking mistakes in CRNA school keeps you stuck instead of actually improvingThe difference between self-deprecation, reflection, and real growth (and why most...


MASTERING AIRWAY ANATOMY & NERVE INJURY FOR BOARDS AND EVERYDAY PRACTICE │ EP92
MASTERING AIRWAY ANATOMY & NERVE INJURY FOR BOARDS AND EVERYDAY PRACTICE │ EP92 episode artwork
#92
03/31/2026

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]

In this episode:

How the larynx functions as a dynamic valve balancing ventilation, airway protection, and phonationFunctional airway anatomy of the supraglottic, glottic, and subglottic regions and why it matters during laryngoscopy and intubationHow laryngeal cartilages and joints (especially the...


THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER OF CRNA SCHOOL NO ONE WARNS YOU ABOUT │ EP91
THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER OF CRNA SCHOOL NO ONE WARNS YOU ABOUT │ EP91 episode artwork
#91
03/19/2026

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]

In this episode:

Featuring SRNA Julie (“Grad School Jules”) discussing the emotional realities of CRNA school that students rarely talk aboutThe psychological phases of the CRNA journey from application anxiety to early-semester overwhelmWhy imposter syndrome is so common among SRNAs an...


HOW OPIOIDS ACTUALLY WORK IN THE BODY (CELLULAR MECHANISM EXPLAINED) │ EP90
HOW OPIOIDS ACTUALLY WORK IN THE BODY (CELLULAR MECHANISM EXPLAINED) │ EP90 episode artwork
#90
03/10/2026

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]

In this episode:

How opioids produce analgesia by decreasing synaptic transmission in central pain pathways rather than blocking nerve conduction μ, κ, and δ opioid receptor pharmacology and how Gi-coupled GPCR signaling alters calcium, potassium, and cAMP How opioids reduce pain by suppres...


BUILT UNDER PRESSURE: LESSONS WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM MILITARY CRNA TRAINING │ EP89
BUILT UNDER PRESSURE: LESSONS WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM MILITARY CRNA TRAINING │ EP89 episode artwork
#89
03/02/2026

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]

In this episode:

Featuring Dr. Jerrol Wallace, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, sharing firsthand insight into military nurse anesthesia training and deployment experienceMilitary CRNA training pathway and selection standardsOperational readiness and austere anesthesia environmentsTrauma intensity, deployment medicine, and prolonged field care...


1 SINGLE TRAIT YOU NEED TO SURVIVE CRNA SCHOOL │ EP88
1 SINGLE TRAIT YOU NEED TO SURVIVE CRNA SCHOOL │ EP88 episode artwork
#88
02/24/2026

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]

💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.

[WEBINAR SIGN UP]

💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plan...


3 WAYS TO BECOME INVOLVED AS A SRNA/NAR TO SUPERBOOST YOUR CV │ EP86
3 WAYS TO BECOME INVOLVED AS A SRNA/NAR TO SUPERBOOST YOUR CV │ EP86 episode artwork
#86
02/21/2026

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]

💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.

[WEBINAR SIGN UP]

💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plan...


2 OF MY MOST CHALLENGING CASES AND WHAT THEY TAUGHT ME │ EP87
2 OF MY MOST CHALLENGING CASES AND WHAT THEY TAUGHT ME │ EP87 episode artwork
#87
02/21/2026

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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4 SUBTLE MONITOR TRENDS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE IN THE OR │ EP85
4 SUBTLE MONITOR TRENDS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE IN THE OR  │ EP85 episode artwork
#85
02/19/2026

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]

💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.

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5 RARE BUT FATAL ANESTHESIA EMERGENCIES │ EP84
5 RARE BUT FATAL ANESTHESIA EMERGENCIES │ EP84 episode artwork
#84
02/18/2026

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]

💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.

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6 HABITS THAT MAKE CLINICAL A LOT LESS CHAOTIC [AND A LOT MORE FUN] │ EP83
6 HABITS THAT MAKE CLINICAL A LOT LESS CHAOTIC [AND A LOT MORE FUN] │ EP83 episode artwork
#83
02/17/2026

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]

💜 LIVE WEBINAR: Save your seat on our monthly, free webinars. Replays are sent to your inbox and you get access to all of our previous webinars.

[WEBINAR SIGN UP]

💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plan...