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Have you ever wondered why your patient becomes tachycardic during intubation—or hypotensive when the surgeon hasn’t even made an incision yet? These aren't just random fluctuations. They're signals from the autonomic nervous system—and as a future CRNA, being able to interpret them can mean the difference between chasing vital signs and anticipating them.

If you're serious about anesthesia, understanding the autonomic nervous system (ANS) isn't optional—it’s essential. The ANS influences everything from anesthetic depth to hemodynamic management, and mastering its functions gives you a clinical edge both in school and in the OR.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

The difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Why understanding ANS function is crucial for interpreting anesthetic depth and hemodynamic trends
How neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine influence receptor activity
The physiology of alpha, beta, and muscarinic receptors and how they guide pharmacologic decisions
Real-world clinical examples that connect ANS theory to intraoperative decision-making
Why the adrenal medulla plays a key role in the body’s fight-or-flight response
How this knowledge directly applies to your future practice and board exams

In this special episode, Dr. Sass Elisha—a nationally recognized anesthesia educator and co-founder of The Nurse Anesthesia—walks you through the complex world of the ANS in a way that’s practical, clear, and rooted in real-life anesthesia scenarios.

By the end of this episode, you’ll not only understand the “yin and yang” of autonomic balance—you’ll be able to predict and respond to patient responses like a seasoned provider. This is foundational knowledge that will serve you from the classroom to the OR.

As Dr. Elisha would say, "It's go time!"

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Autonomic Nervous System Function and Catecholamine Synthesis Breakdown with Dr. Sass Elisha, The Nurse Anesthesia

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