My Favorite Learners Podcast

Today we’re diving into the future of anesthesia pharmacology with three major topics changing perioperative practice: Remimazolam, Sugammadex, and Novel Opioids. These medications were designed to improve what we care about most—faster recovery, safer profiles, more predictable pharmacokinetics, and better patient outcomes.In this episode, we break down:✔️ Remimazolam – the ultra-short acting benzodiazepine with esterase metabolism, rapid recovery, and potential hemodynamic advantages over propofol✔️ Sugammadex – the game-changing reversal agent for rocuronium and vecuronium, including dosing, mechanisms, risks, and board pearls✔️ Novel Opioids – including biased agonists like oliceridine, and the ongoing search for analgesia with fewer side effectsWe also cover:🎯 High-yield NBCRNA/NCE pharmacology points🎯 Clinical pros and cons of each drug🎯 Real-world barriers like cost, adoption, and safety concerns🎯 How to think like an anesthesia provider—not just memorize drugsWhether you’re an SRNA, CRNA, resident, or anesthesia nerd who loves pharmacology, this episode will help you connect the science to clinical practice.

What makes a CRNA school applicant stand out—and what mistakes can hurt your chances before the interview even begins? In this special panel episode of My Favorite Learners, I sit down with the leadership of the UC Davis Nurse Anesthesia Program admissions team: Dr. Bryan Tune, Dr. Becky Ashlock, Dr. Jake Sareerak, and Dr. Terence Burrows. Together, we discuss what admissions committees value most, common pitfalls applicants make, and how future SRNAs can position themselves for success. If CRNA school is in your future, this is the insider conversation you’ve been waiting for.

Antihypertensive medications don’t have to feel overwhelming or memorization-heavy. In this solo lecture, Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down antihypertensive pharmacology through physiology, mechanisms of action, and real-world anesthesia implications - exactly what SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers need for boards and the operating room.This episode walks through the major classes of antihypertensives, focusing on how each drug lowers blood pressure rather than relying on disconnected lists. You’ll learn how antihypertensives interact with preload, afterload, heart rate, contractility, and systemic vascular resistance, and why those effects matter during induction, maintenance, and emergence from anesthesia.Key topics covered include:Beta blockers (β₁ vs β₂ effects, perioperative continuation, blunted sympathetic response)ACE inhibitors (ACE-Is) & ARBs: RAAS physiology, vasodilation, and refractory hypotensionCalcium channel blockers (DHP vs non-DHP): vascular vs nodal effectsAlpha agonists and antagonistsHow antihypertensives alter MAP, CO, SVR, and reflex tachycardiaWhy certain antihypertensives increase the risk of induction hypotensionWhat to hold, continue, or anticipate on the day of surgeryThroughout the episode, complex pharmacology is tied directly to:Hemodynamic management in anesthesiaCommon board scenarios and NBCRNA-style reasoningVasopressor choice and responseDrug interactions with propofol, volatile agents, opioids, and neuraxial anesthesiaThis lecture emphasizes understanding over memorization, helping anesthesia learners build a framework they can use in high-stakes clinical moments - not just exam day.🎧 Antihypertensives explained for anesthesia learners - fewer flashcards, more confidence, safer patients.

Anticoagulants don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this solo episode, CRNA educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down the coagulation cascade and anticoagulant pharmacology in a clear, intuitive way designed for SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers preparing for boards and real-world clinical practice.We start with a simple, step-by-step walkthrough of the intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways, then connect that physiology directly to how commonly used anticoagulants work — including unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), warfarin (Coumadin), and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).This episode goes beyond memorization and focuses on mechanism-based understanding, explaining:Why heparin potentiates antithrombin III and primarily inhibits factor IIa (thrombin) and factor XaWhy PT/INR rises first with warfarin due to factor VII’s short half-life — not because warfarin “blocks the extrinsic pathway”How DOACs selectively target factor Xa or thrombinWhich labs actually reflect drug effect (aPTT, PT/INR, ACT, anti-Xa)How electrolyte imbalances can turn anticoagulants into pro-arrhythmics or bleeding risksWe also cover high-yield anesthesia considerations, including:Neuraxial anesthesia timing and safetyASRA-aligned anticoagulant hold timesReversal agents (protamine, vitamin K, PCCs, andexanet alfa, idarucizumab)Practical OR case scenarios you are likely to see in real practiceIf you’re studying for the NBCRNA NCE, teaching anesthesia pharmacology, or just want anticoagulants to finally make sense, this episode is designed to help you stop memorizing tables - and start building safe anesthetic plans.🎧 Educational, board-relevant, and clinically grounded - this is anticoagulation for anesthesia providers who want to truly understand the “why.”

In today’s episode of My Favorite Learners, Chloe sits down with Dr. Becky Ashlock, DNP, CRNA - UC Davis faculty member, OB anesthesia clinician, and lifelong educator - to break down one of the most high-yield and clinically essential topics in anesthesia: endocrine pharmacology.Whether you're an SRNA preparing for boards, a CRNA in clinical practice, or a learner who wants to understand physiology on a deeper level, this conversation gives you the real-world anesthesia implications you actually need in the OR.We cover:Insulin pharmacokinetics, insulin pumps & intraoperative glucose managementHypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism and how each affects anesthetic planningCorticosteroids, HPA axis suppression & when to give stress-dose steroidsMedication interactions every anesthesia provider should recognizeSGLT2 inhibitors & the rising concern of euglycemic DKAPractical frameworks for thinking through endocrine disorders in anesthesiaDr. Ashlock blends physiology, clinical expertise, and decades of teaching experience to help learners move beyond memorization and actually understand the “why” behind endocrine management in the OR.Perfect for anesthesia students, new grads, CRNAs, and anyone wanting a stronger grasp of endocrine pharmacology.

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.comfor education purposes only; not medical advice.

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.Timestamps00:52 Rhea’s path from clinical CRNA to researcher & educator08:00 Polymorphisms, CYP450, and phenotype basics20:30 Pseudocholinesterase deficiency & dibucaine number (boards tip)27:30 MH recognition, treatment, and RYANODEX in the real world32:30 Pharmacogenetic testing: utility & ethics39:00 Practical takeaways for SRNAs & CRNAsPerfect for: SRNAs prepping for boards, CRNAs updating practice, and anyone curious about precision anesthesia.

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 & QuizletWhether 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, 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 channelsOnset, Duration & Intensity: Why pKa, lipid solubility, protein binding, and vascularity matterLAST (Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity): Early signs, treatment protocols, and real OB case studiesEster vs. Amide: Easy ways to remember which is which - and why it mattersWith 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, 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-Adrenergic vs. muscarinic receptors-Sympathetic versus parasympathetic pharmacology-Push‑dose vasopressors: phenylephrine, ephedrine, norepinephrine, epinephrine-Anticholinergics: glycopyrrolate vs. atropine-Beta‑blocker selection in the OR-Step‑wise frameworks for treating hypo‑ and hypertension-Clinical scenarios every SRNA should master for boardsSass 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-Audio platforms: Apple Podcasts · Spotify -YouTube (with full captions): youtube.com/@MyFavoriteLearners💬 Connect with usFollow @myfavoritelearners on Instagram for daily anesthesia education and pharmacology pearls.

In this special episode of My Favorite Learners, host Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, sits down with her mentor and inspiration, Dr. Sarah Giron, PhD, CRNA, Program Director at Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia. Together, they unpack the pharmacology of neuromuscular blockade—from the foundational concepts of paralytics to the groundbreaking development of sugammadex.Dr. Giron shares her experience as a clinical researcher involved in the Phase 3 trials of sugammadex, along with practical insights for anesthesia learners navigating these complex agents in the OR. This episode blends science, storytelling, and mentorship—offering a rare chance to learn from a leader who’s shaped the field and the next generation of CRNAs.Perfect for SRNAs, educators, and anyone passionate about advancing anesthesia practice.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Phillips, PhD, CRNA, to explore the fascinating world of volatile anesthetic agents—what they are, how they work, and why they matter. Dr. Phillips breaks down the basics for clinicians, students, and anyone curious about the science behind anesthesia.But this conversation doesn’t stop at pharmacology. We also examine the growing concerns about the environmental impact of these agents, including their role as greenhouse gases and what the latest research is telling us about sustainable anesthesia practices.Whether you're in the OR or just anesthesia-curious, join us for an insightful discussion that bridges clinical knowledge and climate awareness.Like, Subscribe and follow along:instagram: @crnaclinicalq tiktok: @crnaclinicaqyoutube: @crnaclinicalq