Atomic Anesthesia

Rhea Temmermand, PhD, CRNA & Sachi Lord, MSN, CRNA
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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 process. But we don't stop there. Atomic Anesthesia goes beyond the classroom, inviting esteemed guests from both the scientific and CRNA communities to share their insights and experiences. From discussions on graduate school training to invaluable tips for navigating the complexities of clinical practice, our diverse range of topics ensures that every episode is packed with valuable knowledge and practical advice. Whether you're commuting to clinicals, hitting the gym, or simply relaxing at home, Atomic Anesthesia is the perfect companion for learning on the go. Tune in and empower yourself with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in your journey towards becoming a proficient and confident nurse anesthethesiologist.

  1. 1 day ago

    ANTICOAGULANTS AND REVERSAL IN ONE CLEAN CASCADE │ EP120

    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, we organize every anticoagulant around one question: where in the coagulation cascade does it hit? Answer that, and you can predict the lab, the risks and the reversal. In this episode: A simple map of the coagulation cascade and which lab tests which pathway (PT/INR, aPTT, ACT)Unfractionated heparin, heparin resistance, ACT targets for bypass, and protamine dosing and reactionsHeparin-induced thrombocytopenia: why it's a clotting problem, not a bleeding problemLow-molecular-weight heparin, fondaparinux and the neuraxial hold times you need to knowWarfarin, the "1972" factors, and when to reach for vitamin K, four-factor PCC or FFPThe DOACs and their antidotes (idarucizumab and andexanet alfa), antiplatelet agents, and balancing bleeding against thrombosis 💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets. SEE/NCE Study Plan — a structured, week-by-week plan to pass your boardsNon-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — every non-opioid analgesic you need to know, one pageGPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia 💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Rhea or Sachi at hello@atomicanesthesia.com, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter.

  2. 3 days ago

    VALVULAR HEART DISEASE WITHOUT THE HEARTACHE │ EP119

    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 questions (pressure or volume problem, systole or diastole) let you rebuild the hemodynamic goals for every valve lesion in the middle of your exam. In this episode: The shortcut: stenosis is full, slow and tight; regurgitation is full, fast and forwardAortic stenosis: severe AS numbers, the atrial kick, why phenylephrine is the go-to and why CPR rarely worksAortic regurgitation: acute vs chronic, why neuraxial is well tolerated, and the balloon pump contraindicationMitral stenosis: protecting the right heart, avoiding PVR triggers, and why wedge pressure overestimates LVEDPMitral regurgitation: the large v wave and why phenylephrine can worsen the leakA rapid-fire board review of every lesion, plus how to handle mixed valve disease 💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets. SEE/NCE Study Plan — a structured, week-by-week plan to pass your boardsNon-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — every non-opioid analgesic you need to know, one pageGPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia 💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Rhea or Sachi at hello@atomicanesthesia.com, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter. 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)

  3. 6 days ago

    ADME UP: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PHARMACOKINETIC CONCEPTS (PREMIUM) │ EP118

    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 SEE/NCE This episode is part of our 12-week SEE/NCE podcast series, designed to follow the Atomic Anesthesia SEE/NCE Study Plan week by week. Want to study along with the episode? Join the Atomic Anesthesia learning platform to get the accompanying worksheet, plus access to our members-only podcast episodes and additional SEE/NCE study resources. 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. WANT THE FULL PLATFORM? Atomic Anesthesia is the all-in-one study platform built specifically for SRNAs: 800 lessons, 10,000 quiz questions, flashcards, and interactive features. Join at atomicanesthesia.com.

  4. 7 Oct

    SEDATION SHOWDOWN: BARBITURATES VS. BENZODIAZEPINES │ EP117

    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 week by week. Want to study along with the episode? Join the Atomic Anesthesia learning platform to get the accompanying worksheet, plus access to our members-only podcast episodes and additional SEE/NCE study resources. 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. WANT THE FULL PLATFORM? Atomic Anesthesia is the all-in-one study platform built specifically for SRNAs: 800 lessons, 10,000 quiz questions, flashcards, and interactive features. Join at atomicanesthesia.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)

  5. 5 Oct

    BLOCK PARTY: NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKERS (PARALYTICS) FOR THE SEE/NCE │ EP116

    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 week. Want to study along with the episode? Join the Atomic Anesthesia learning platform to get the accompanying worksheet, plus access to our members-only podcast episodes and additional SEE/NCE study resources. 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. WANT THE FULL PLATFORM? Atomic Anesthesia is the all-in-one study platform built specifically for SRNAs: 800 lessons, 10,000 quiz questions, flashcards, and interactive features. Join at atomicanesthesia.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)

  6. 29 Sept

    CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY: PROTECTING THE BRAIN ONE CLAMP AT A TIME │ EP115

    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. MORE FREE STUDY RESOURCES: Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — Every non-opioid analgesic you need to know, on one page GPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia Malignant Hyperthermia Reference Guide — Recognize MH fast. Treat it faster — one-page reference WANT THE FULL PLATFORM? Atomic Anesthesia is the all-in-one study platform built specifically for SRNAs — lessons, quizzes, flashcards, and more. Join at atomicanesthesia.com.

  7. 23 Sept

    THE TWITCHING HOUR: TRAIN-OF-FOUR EXPLAINED │ EP114

    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 full recoveryPost-tetanic count, depth of neuromuscular blockade, and when to use different stimulation patternsUlnar vs facial nerve monitoring, Phase I vs Phase II succinylcholine blockade, and qualitative vs quantitative monitoringUsing TOF to guide neostigmine and sugammadex reversal, plus high-yield SEE/NCE concepts and practice board questions 💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets. GPCR Cheat Sheet — The G-protein coupled receptor mechanisms behind the alpha antagonists, beta blockers, and signaling pathways that show up in every OR vasodilator conversation.SEE/NCE Study Plan — A structured plan to help you prepare for the SEE and NCE without burning out — hypertension treatment is a high-yield topic.Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — Propofol, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and the rest of the non-opioid sedation toolkit on one page. 💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Rhea & Sachi at hello@atomicanesthesia.com, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter. 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)

  8. 11 Sept

    VASODILATORS IN THE OR: WHEN THE PRESSURE NEEDS TO DROP NOW │ EP113

    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 look up the drugThe full NO → cGMP → PKG → smooth muscle relaxation cascade behind nitroglycerin and nitroprusside, and why one drops preload while the other balanced-dilatesCyanide toxicity and coronary steal with nitroprusside — when to use it, when to cap it, and when to pick something elseClevidipine vs nicardipine vs hydralazine — which drug fits which case, and why hydralazine is falling out of favor for tight OR controlControlled hypotension for neuro cases, afterload management in cardiac surgery, and hypertensive emergencies including aortic dissection and pheochromocytoma 💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets. GPCR Cheat Sheet — The G-protein coupled receptor mechanisms behind the alpha antagonists, beta blockers, and signaling pathways that show up in every OR vasodilator conversation.SEE/NCE Study Plan — A structured plan to help you prepare for the SEE and NCE without burning out — hypertension treatment is a high-yield topic.Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — Propofol, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and the rest of the non-opioid sedation toolkit on one page. 💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Dr. Temmermand at hello@atomicanesthesia.com, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter. 💜 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)

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About

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 process. But we don't stop there. Atomic Anesthesia goes beyond the classroom, inviting esteemed guests from both the scientific and CRNA communities to share their insights and experiences. From discussions on graduate school training to invaluable tips for navigating the complexities of clinical practice, our diverse range of topics ensures that every episode is packed with valuable knowledge and practical advice. Whether you're commuting to clinicals, hitting the gym, or simply relaxing at home, Atomic Anesthesia is the perfect companion for learning on the go. Tune in and empower yourself with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in your journey towards becoming a proficient and confident nurse anesthethesiologist.

Information

  • Creator
    Rhea Temmermand, PhD, CRNA & Sachi Lord, MSN, CRNA
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Rhea Temmermand, PhD, CRNA & Sachi Lord, MSN, CRNA
  • Show Website
    Atomic Anesthesia

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