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Atomic Anesthesia — Education
Atomic Anesthesia

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.

Latest Episodes:

ADME UP: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PHARMACOKINETIC CONCEPTS (PREMIUM) │ EP118 Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

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 distribution
Clearance, elimination, and half-life
First-order vs. zero-order kinetics
Hepatic extraction ratio and factors that affect drug metabolism
Context-sensitive half-time and continuous infusions
High-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.

SEDATION SHOWDOWN: BARBITURATES VS. BENZODIAZEPINES │ EP117 Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

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 receptor
Why barbiturates increase chlo ride channel duration while benzodiazepines increase frequency
Methohexital, thiopental, midazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam
Key pharmacokinetic and clinical differences between the major drugs
Flumazenil 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)

BLOCK PARTY: NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKERS (PARALYTICS) FOR THE SEE/NCE │ EP116 Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

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 blockade
Succinylcholine pharmacology, contraindications & major complications
Rocuronium, vecuronium & cisatracurium
Pseudocholinesterase deficiency & the dibucaine number
Factors that potentiate or cause resistance to neuromuscular blockade
Reversal, 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)

CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY: PROTECTING THE BRAIN ONE CLAMP AT A TIME │ EP115 Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

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 establishment
Intraoperative monitoring techniques and A-line importance
MAP target calculation and cerebral autoregulation adjustments
Induction and maintenance anesthesia specifics
Strategies 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.

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)

THE TWITCHING HOUR: TRAIN-OF-FOUR EXPLAINED │ EP114 Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

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 count
TOF count vs TOF ratio, understanding fade, and why four twitches does not necessarily mean full recovery
Post-tetanic count, depth of neuromuscular blockade, and when to use different stimulation patterns
Ulnar vs facial nerve monitoring, Phase I vs Phase II succinylcholine blockade, and qualitative vs quantitative monitoring
Using 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)

VASODILATORS IN THE OR: WHEN THE PRESSURE NEEDS TO DROP NOW │ EP113 Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

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 drug
The full NO → cGMP → PKG → smooth muscle relaxation cascade behind nitroglycerin and nitroprusside, and why one drops preload while the other balanced-dilates
Cyanide toxicity and coronary steal with nitroprusside — when to use it, when to cap it, and when to pick something else
Clevidipine vs nicardipine vs hydralazine — which drug fits which case, and why hydralazine is falling out of favor for tight OR control
Controlled 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)

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)

DECODING DEXAMETHASONE'S ANTIEMETIC EFFECT (MECHANISM EXPLAINED) │ EP112 Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

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 waving
All 5 real mechanisms behind how dexamethasone actually stops nausea and vomiting
The practical dosing, timing, and combination strategy that gets the best PONV prevention

References:

Chu CC, Hsing CH, Shieh JP, Chien CC, Ho CM, Wang JJ. The cellular mechanisms of the antiemetic action of dexamethasone and related glucocorticoids against vomiting. Eur J Pharmacol. 2014;722:48-54.
Horn CC, Wallisch WJ, Homanics GE, Williams JP. Pathophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Eur J Pharmacol. 2014;722:55-66.
Ho CM, Wu HL, Ho ST, Wang JJ. Dexamethasone prevents postoperative nausea and vomiting: benefit versus risk. Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan. 2011;49(3):100-104.

💜 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

💜 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)

THE DIFFICULT AIRWAY ALGORITHM, STEP-BY-STEP │ EP111 Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

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 ventilation
The most important fork in the algorithm, can you oxygenate or not, and how it sends you down the non-emergency pathway or the emergency pathway
Managing the cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate crisis, including front-of-neck access and the scalpel-bougie-tube technique

💜 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

💜 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)

10 HIGH-YIELD SEE/NCE BOARD QUESTIONS EXPLAINED │ EP110 Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

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 and why every distractor was built to fool you
High-yield pharmacology and physiology traps, including Hofmann elimination for the organ-failure patient, shifting the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, and the MAC family from MAC-awake to MAC-BAR
The clinical-reasoning questions that show up at the bedside, from autonomic hyperreflexia and infant bradycardia to coronary perfusion pressure and reading the capnograph waveform
A local anesthetic maximum-dose calculation and a full walk-through of recognizing and treating local anesthetic systemic toxicity

💜 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

💜 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)

PREECLAMPSIA AND THE OB PATIENT: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY THAT SAVES LIVES │ EP109 Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

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 preeclampsia
Why preeclampsia is fundamentally a placenta problem that becomes a vascular endothelium problem — sFlt-1, soluble endoglin, VEGF neutralization, and the cascade that drives every symptom
HELLP syndrome — microangiopathic hemolysis, hepatic involvement, and how it changes your anesthetic plan
Magnesium sulfate pharmacology — NMDA antagonism, the dosing regimen, toxicity ladder, and why you must cut your non-depolarizing NMB dose by 30 to 50 percent
Neuraxial vs general anesthesia in the severe preeclamptic — when neuraxial is safe, how to manage platelet thresholds, and how to blunt the catecholamine surge of laryngoscopy when general is unavoidable

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

SEE/NCE Study Plan — OB pharm and physiology is high-yield on the exam — this plan tells you exactly where it fits in your prep timeline.
Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — Multimodal pain management options including the non-opioids that show up in OB anesthesia plans.
GPCR Cheat Sheet — The receptor pharmacology behind the pressors and antihypertensives you'll be running on these patients.

💜 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)

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)

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