Digital Commons Network^™

Exparel Versus Bupivacaine: Outcomes, Advantages, And Costs, Jessica Duraney

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Research shows that adequate pain control is associated with increased patient satisfaction, faster rehabilitation, mobilization, reduced hospital stays, and ultimately decreased hospital costs. Due to the many disadvantages of opioids, such as ileus, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, tolerance, and physical dependence, there has been a push for opioid-sparing and multimodal analgesia perioperatively. The purpose of this paper is to compare two local anesthetics, bupivacaine and Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine). The use of these drugs in various regional techniques, specifically for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and abdominal surgeries, will be discussed.

Reducing Anesthesia Workstation Contamination, Taryn Giese

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Healthcare-associated infections are a source of morbidity and mortality in the United States and have been shown to be more preventable than current incidence. Anesthesia providers may be a source of and vector for some of these infections. Nurse anesthetists provide direct individual care for numerous patients daily, managing airways and invasive devices that contaminate hands with secretions which then may be transferred to the anesthesia workstation. Due to its complexity, the anesthesia machine is difficult to thoroughly clean and may become a reservoir for contaminants.

The purpose of this paper will be to examine new interventions being explored to …

Anesthetic Considerations For Patients Under The Influence Of Marijuana And/Or Cannabidiol: Anesthesia Interactions And Implications, Alexa Schimmel

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

This manuscript investigates the use of marijuana, including edibles and cannabidiol (CBD), and its effects on anesthesia. This topic of research is very recent without an abundance of information. Various articles discuss the route of marijuana use including inhalation, ingestible and extracts of the plant, including CBD. For this manuscript, the term marijuana will pertain to both inhaled and ingested marijuana unless otherwise noted; ingestible marijuana is also known as edibles. This manuscript explains the mechanism of action of marijuana and CBD, the general guidelines for the use and how each affect the administration and impact of anesthesia.

Carbon Dioxide Embolisms During Laparoscopic Surgery, Leanne M. Jobin

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

With the advancement of technology over the past few decades, laparoscopic surgery has significantly increased in popularity among many surgical subspecialties including: general surgery, gynecology, and urology. Many procedures that traditionally required open access with large incisions have been replaced with laparoscopic approaches as it offers many advantages such as, faster recovery, less postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays. Despite its many advantages, it creates numerous anesthesia challenges and considerations when caring for patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures. Among these challenges, are carbon dioxide embolisms. This manuscript involves research and previous case studies that were conducted on carbon dioxide embolisms during …

Augmented Mean Arterial Blood Pressure And Vasopressor Selection In Patients With Spinal Cord Injury, Jayme Schroeder

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Blood pressure management in the acute period following spinal cord injury is a critical concern; one that anesthesia and critical care providers are often able to directly measure and regulate. It has been hypothesized that supraphysiologic blood pressure maintenance during this acute phase may improve recovery, however there is limited high-quality evidence to reinforce and guide management. Based on included prospective and retrospective studies, which provide the highest level of evidence available, The American Association of Neurologic Surgeons does provide the following level III recommendation: MAP goals of 85–90 mm Hg for 5–7 days post-injury should be considered. With regard …

Robotic-Assisted Versus Video-Assisted And Open Thoracic Surgery: Outcomes, Advantages, And Costs, Ananth Thitte

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Thoracic surgery via video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) began in the early 1990s, as a minimally invasive alternative to open thoracotomy for performing lobectomies, wedge resections, and segmentectomies. It initially showed improved morbidity and mortality, decreased pain, and decreased length of stay when compared to traditional open thoracotomy (Zhang & Gao, 2015). To its detriment, VATS has a steep learning curve and manipulation of instruments has been described as non-intuitive. The video camera used provides a two-dimensional image, with limited depth perception compared to the naked eye in an open procedure. Due to these shortcomings, and in spite of its …

Vaping And Anesthesia, Wen Wang

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are a fast-growing class of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) which were first put on the market 15 years ago. These devices have been advertised as safer alternatives to conventional cigarettes and a tool for smoking cessation by their manufacturers regardless of inadequate safety data (Kalkhoran, 2016). Since ECs have only been on the market for one and half decades, data on short-term health effects from inhaling EC aerosols are inadequate, and data regarding long-term health effects are very limited. Despite insufficient safety data, the use of ECs has increased exponentially since they were put on the …

Amniotic Fluid Embolism In The Parturient Patient, Vanessa Pasquariello

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

An amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) occurs when amniotic fluid enters maternal circulation, causing a physical obstruction or an anaphylactoid reaction, both of which are often detrimental to the parturient patient. This paper reviews a series of studies to examine the incidence, risk factors, presentation, and management of an AFE in the healthcare setting. Diagnosing an AFE remains difficult as a universal diagnostic criterion does not exist (aside from in reported research); thus, its identification is often made when another differential diagnosis fails to manifest. The presentation of the following biomarkers: squamous cell carcinoma antigen, CK13, and CK10/13 can aid in …

Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring In Emergency Trauma Patients, Ryan Boyd

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring has evolved steadily over the past few decades in response to healthcare providers' preference for less invasive monitoring methods for their patients. Invasive monitoring has its place in the critically ill patient population as witnessed in intensive care units throughout the country. Even in this environment, providers are opting less for the pulmonary artery catheter which has been the gold standard for invasive cardiac output monitoring in the past. Providers are now utilizing less invasive monitoring techniques which offer fewer potential complications to the patient while providing rapid access to critically important hemodynamic data. Examination of different …

The Utilization Of Laryngeal Mask Airways Vs. Endotracheal Tubes In Pediatrics With Upper Respiratory Tract Infection In Reducing Airway Complications, Ruby Foster

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

According to Tait & Malviya, (2005) children typically experience six to eight upper respiratory infections (URIs) per year with ninety-five percent being viral in etiology (Tait & Malvia, 2005). URIs commonly occur in the pediatric population (Bernando-Ocampo, 2012). An issue surrounding the debate on whether a child with upper respiratory infection (URI) should proceed with surgery or cancel surgery is a debate that has been ongoing for several years (Tait el al. 2005). This review examines whether children who have an URI scheduled for surgery are at an increased risk for adverse respiratory complications when the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) …

Hypertonic Saline Versus Mannitol To Improve Brain Relaxation In Craniotomy: A Case Study, Morgan Cornell

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

In neurosurgical procedures, including craniotomy for tumor, neurosurgeons often require a reduction of brain swelling to optimally perform the surgery. The reduction of brain swelling is termed brain relaxation. The anesthesia professional can accomplish brain relaxation using multiple techniques. One such technique is the infusion of certain intravenous fluids to change the osmotic pressure within the cranial vault thereby reducing brain edema (Jaffe, 2014). Highly osmolar fluids such as mannitol and hypertonic saline can be infused to decrease brain edema. Currently, mannitol remains the gold standard for medical treatment of intracranial pressure in neurosurgical procedures (Marko, 2012). This review seeks …

The Impact Of Intraoperative Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy, Marc Yacovone

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Anesthetists provide intra-operative fluid therapy by utilizing a variety of different methods. Deciding on the appropriate method is multifaceted, and the choice of method is a determinate of safe and effective outcomes. Camach-Navarro et al. (2015) determined that postoperative complications are linked to either giving too much or too little fluid. Unfortunately, the deleterious effects of improper fluid therapy are often overlooked.

Minor surgical procedures which result in little to no blood loss, often lead to positive outcomes using the fixed volume calculation approach to fluid therapy. However, when major surgical procedures are performed on sick patients a fluid management …

The Role Of Platelet Rich Plasma In Pain Management And Decrease In Opioid Use, Sara Cunha

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, has become increasingly popular for the treatment of orthopedic injuries and symptomatic pain that results from such injuries. By promoting a localized inflammatory response, PRP injections increase blood flow to the injured area and expedite the healing process, thereby leading to pain relief. PRP has the potential to be a key player in the future of pain management. However, current evidence of the impact of PRP on pain relief is controversial. This paper aims to review the most current randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of PRP in pain relief in a variety of …

Neurotoxic Effects Of Anesthesia On The Developing Brain, Nicole Hachey

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Each year, thousands of neonates receive anesthesia and/or sedation for various surgical procedures. With advancements in neonatal care and surgical techniques, the number of infants receiving anesthesia globally will continue to increase. A relatively large and growing body of literature suggests that exposure to general anesthetics can be detrimental to the developing brain. Based upon various animal studies, it is thought that exposure of the immature brain to anesthetic agents may result in apoptosis, neurodegeneration and ultimately long-term cognitive deficiencies (Walters & Paule, 2016). This information presents a dilemma for practitioners when caring for a neonate requiring a surgical procedure, …

Thoracic Epidural Versus Continuous Intercostal Catheter For Patients Undergoing Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (Vats), Brittany Guilmet

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Advances in technology have pushed many practitioners towards the implementation of minimally invasive surgery. Many different specialties have rapidly adopted this new approach and patient outcomes have improved as a result of this transition. One specialty, thoracic surgery, has evolved with this change through the development of video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Despite improved patient outcomes, thoracic surgery remains one of the most painful procedures that a patient can endure. Although there are many different analgesic modalities available, the gold standard for post-operative analgesia in this patient population remains unknown. The aim of this literature review is to compare the …

Regional Anesthesia And Breast Cancer Recurrence, Michael Dunnington

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the United States, and surgical resection is the definitive treatment. However, cancer recurrence and metastasis remains a concern for the lifetime of the patients affected. Therefore, much interest has been focused on how anesthetic technique may impact the rates of cancer recurrence and metastasis following breast cancer surgery. In this review, the potential for regional analgesia to reduce the recurrence rate of breast cancer post-operatively is discussed. Supporting evidence from multiple studies is presented, along with a discussion of potential areas of future research that is needed. At …

Dexmedetomidine In The Prevention Of Emergence Delirium In Children, Lauren Anderson

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

This review examines the use of intravenous dexmedetomidine in the role of decreasing or preventing emergence delirium in pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. The included randomized controlled trials evaluated the administration of dexmedetomidine, whether as a bolus, infusion, or in combination, and its effectiveness in preventing or reducing emergence delirium. The analysis scales for emergence delirium varied between studies, and it was noted that multiple scale components overlapped with pain scale components used in the trials. It has also been noted that differentiating between pain and emergence delirium can be challenging for clinicians (Somaini, Engelhardt, Fumagalli & Ingelmo, 2016). To …

Clinical Performance And The Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Alyson Cronan

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

The clinical component of graduate nurse anesthesia programs continues to be the key factor in evaluating and ensuring student success. Clinical experience has a direct correlation on student development in areas of self-awareness, psychomotor proficiency, critical thinking and professionalism. To effectively create a positive and motivating learning environment for the student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA), the literature recommends instructors theoretically adapt to the individual learning style of the student, and incorporate various teaching techniques and modalities clinically. The overall goal of the clinical rotation is to establish an atmosphere where an individual can modify learning and skills. Positive, respectful and …

A Systematic Analysis On Opioid-Free General Anesthesia Versus Opioid-Based General Anesthesia For Bariatric Surgery, Ina Basha

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

One-third of the American adult population is considered overweight, a figure that is still on the rise. Obesity negatively impacts every organ system in the human body. When minimally invasive strategies such as life style changes fail, bariatric surgery procedures have become the other option. The purpose of this systemic analysis is to look at the outcomes of post-operative pain, post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the length of stay required in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in obese adults undergoing bariatric surgery using opioid-free general anesthesia compared to opioid-based general anesthesia. The studies included in this systematic analysis conclude …

Prophylactic Phenylephrine Infusion Versus Bolus Regimens During Spinal Anesthesia For Cesarean Section, Safira Iddriss

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Hypotension is a well-recognized phenomenon associated with any spinal anesthesia. It is most particularly evident in the parturients as a higher block is required for cesarean section (C-section) (Nagelhout, 2014). These populations are also more prone to the effect of sympathectomy because of decreased sensitivity to endogenous vasoconstrictors in addition to increased synthesis of endothelium vasodilators (Miller, 2009). Sympathectomy results in hypotension and other adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting. Many studies over the decades have examined the best management option for the hypotension. This review seeks to determine the best management regimen for the use of the vasopressor …

The Effects Of Pain On Informed Consent, Bryan Aja

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

It is common for providers to withhold pain medication as opposed to treating pain prior to obtaining informed consent due to the concern of invalid informed consent. Pain’s influence on cognition can significantly impact the cognitive domains required to obtain valid informed consent. Determining if a patient has the capacity or competence to participate in the informed consent process has medical, ethical, and legal implications. The medical use of competence and capacity is not equivalent to the legal use of the same terminology. Legal implications concerning consent include signing consent while in duress or pain, signing under the influence of …

Utilizing Tranexamic Acid To Reduce Blood Transfusion In Hip Fractures, Katherine Balzano-Cowan, Morgan Guerrette

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Minimizing perioperative blood loss during orthopedic surgery has proven challenging for providers. Perioperative utilization of antifibrinolytic pharmacologic interventions, such as tranexamic acid (TXA), has been demonstrated as a safe and effective technique for decreasing blood loss and allogenic blood transfusion rates. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on-label indications of TXA are for use in short-term treatment of hemophilia patients undergoing dental extractions and in management of patients experiencing menorrhagia (Mayeux, Alwon, Collins, & Hewer, 2016). Despite the current limited scope of FDA approval for TXA, use in elective surgery with otherwise clotting-uncompromised patients is not a new …

Does The Addition Of Dexamethasone To Local Anesthetic Used For Peripheral Nerve Block Prolong Analgesia In The Surgical Patient?, Janice M. Oliveira

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Pain after orthopedic surgery can be intense. Many anesthesia providers and orthopedic surgeons support the use of peripheral nerve blockade to assist in decreasing the amount of pain a patient may experience post operatively. Select medication adjuncts are being added to peripheral nerve blocks to prolong analgesia. The research presented here focuses on the addition of dexamethasone to peripheral nerve blocks to prolong analgesia. Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid that acts as an anti-inflammatory. It has been shown to inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators such as, interleukins and cytokines, facilitating the release of anti-inflammatory mediators, decreasing postoperative pain. Recent …

Minimal Opioid Anesthetic In Patient With History Of Substance Abuse: A Case Study, Sarah E. Varney

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

More than half of the population in the United States of America drinks alcohol regularly. Thousands of deaths annually are linked to drug overdoses, and that number continues to rise. Anesthesia professionals can expect to see patients in various levels of substance abuse and recovery during their practice. This case study is presented to discuss a minimal narcotic technique given in a patient with a history of prescription drug abuse, who had been substance free since successfully been through a recovery program years prior.

Detection And Treatment Of Hemorrhage In The Postoperative Patient, Vanessa M. Derosby

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Hemorrhage is a devastating event that can occur in the perioperative period. It is estimated that 2.35 in 1000 patients will experience hemorrhage associate with surgery. Adverse outcomes affecting patient morbidity, mortality and quality of life are associated with hemorrhage. Timely detection, diagnosis and appropriate intervention in the setting of hemorrhage are imperative to reduce adverse outcomes of shock such as end organ damage, chronic disability or death. Anesthesia practitioners hold the charge of monitoring and managing the patient’s hemodynamic status and play an integral role in the detection and management of the hemorrhaging patient.

Assessment Of The Preoperative Assessment: A Case Study, Steven James Birchenough

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

The geriatric population defined as individuals 65 years of age or older is expected to increase to 20% of the total population by the year 2020. This population currently makes up one-third of the surgical population and is projected to double by 2020. The perioperative risks for this population are also increased and pose significant increases in morbidity and mortality. The need for a detailed preoperative assessment is crucial in any surgical patient. It is increasingly imperative for the geriatric surgical patient as assessment is vital for the surgical team to make decisions regarding the projected necessity, plan and desired …

Understanding And Treating Emergence Delirium, Peter Currie

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

This paper examines our current understanding of the phenomena of emergence delirium, which can occur following general anesthesia. Much research has been conducted to elucidate the causative factors of this condition, with findings ranging from anxiety to volatile agents and the neurodevelopment of the brain (Aono, Ueda, & Mamiya, 1997; Kain et al., 2004; McLott, Jurecic, Hemphill, & Dunn, 2013). While much of our understanding of emergence delirium has come from studying children, who are more prone to this condition, we can attempt to learn even more by examining the increased incidence of emergence delirium that occurs in those with …

Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia, Lisa Nieder

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Opioids are a fundamental part in the treatment of pain especially within the perioperative setting. While opioids are routinely administered by nurse anesthetists for the treatment of pain, they can be associated with several undesirable side effects including opioid- induced hyperalgesia (OIH). OIH is a complex phenomenon that has a significant impact on the successful treatment of pain in a surgical setting. While there have been many advances in recent years into the topic of OIH, the mechanisms are complex and remain incompletely understood. OIH is believed to occur from changes in both the peripheral and central nervous systems that …

Buprenorphine And The Anesthesia Considerations: A Literature Review, Elizabeth E. Stern

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Buprenorphine is a unique pharmaceutical in the management of chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine is a semisynthetic partial opioid agonist at the mu opioid receptor and an antagonist of the kappa opioid. Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy (BMT) is utilized for the long-term treatment of patients with OUD. The attraction to this methadone alternative is increased safety profile, more convenient patient access to the drug, as well as increase of ease for the provider. The particular formula used in the US, Suboxone, has properties to discourage intravenous injection to prevent abuse and prevent negative secondary effects of intravascular injections …