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.

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, 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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

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