Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Plethysmography Variation Index (Pvi) Utility In Guiding Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy During Major Abdominal Surgery, Ricky Malo

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

When considering intra-operative MAP maintenance, preload is a significant driving factor of stroke volume and therefore cardiac output. In major abdominal surgeries, large fluid shifts are common and accurate fluid resuscitation is extremely important to maintain hemodynamic stability and promote optimal patient outcomes. Invasive methods of measuring fluid status range from esophageal doppler derived flow time (FTc) and arterial line-derived metrics such as stroke volume variation (SVV) and pulse pressure variation (PPV). However, invasive means are not always warranted for every surgical procedure or patient and there is a higher potential risk for complication. Plethysmography Variation Index (PVI) has been …

Neurotoxic Effects Of General Anesthesia On The Developing Brain And The Use Of Spinal Anesthesia As An Alternative Approach For The Neonate And Infant Undergoing Genitourinary Surgery, Makaela E. Delucca

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Spinal anesthesia (SA) in the child under two years old is an excellent option when undergoing short genitourinary procedures. The use of SA in this patient population can avoid the potential deleterious neurocognitive effects on the developing brain that general anesthesia (GA) poses. A comprehensive literature review was conducted via retrospective case study, case control study, integrated review, and prospective study. The objective of this literature review is to examine the potential long-term neurotoxic effects of GA in the infant, as well as the benefits of SA. GA in the younger population has been shown to produce lower gray matter …

The Effects Of Mindfulness On Stress Reduction And Academic Performance In Students Studying Health Sciences, Julia Montalto

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Students studying health sciences are often consumed by rigorous curricula and demanding clinical schedules. The extensive concentration and commitment required of these students can be exhausting. This can lead to stress, poor academic performance, substance use and a decreased quality of life (Fauzi et al., 2021, Flowers & Bernard, 2020, Gao et al., 2022, & Melaku et al., 2015). Recent trends in academia have led to an integration of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs into the curriculum of graduate and undergraduate schools. Studies have shown that a consistent practice of some form of mindfulness is associated with a decrease in …

Perioperative Pain Management In Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery, Jean-Louis Luther

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Patients with morbid obesity are a growing patient population. These patients present a unique set of challenges in healthcare management. These unique challenges have been a long-standing concern to anesthesia providers in appropriately managing postoperative pain with opioids. Multimodal analgesia strategies have been adopted by many providers to minimize opioid-related side effects that are highly desirable in bariatric surgical procedures. The literature reviewed for this manuscript highlights the challenges this population presents to anesthesia providers, as well as conclusively supports alternative approaches utilizing multimodal pain management.

Impact Of Intrathecal Morphine On Patient Outcomes In Major Abdominal Surgery, Tori E. Howe

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Colorectal enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidelines for patients undergoing major abdominal surgeries have started to include intrathecal morphine (ITM) as part of the protocol to improve patient outcomes. There is interest amongst other abdominal surgical disciplines in expanding the use of ITM. When used as a single bolus, ITM has shown to have an intravenous (IV) opioid sparing effect postoperatively, as well as improved pain scores for up to 24 hours (Koning et al., 2020). However, ITM coincides with unique considerations and side effects. There is a dose-dependent concern of ITM causing respiratory depression postoperatively that necessitates additional monitoring …

Ketorolac: To Bleed Or Not To Bleed? That Is The Question, Elisabeth E. Stewart

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Ketorolac is a readily available, inexpensive, moderate to severe pain management adjunct. As opioids lost favor, ketorolac gained popularity, as an opioid-sparing alternative (Corsini et al., 2021). Anecdotally, surgeons have been resistant to intra-operative intravenous ketorolac due to perceived bleeding risks. As such, this review seeks to evaluate the literature to determine whether ketorolac administration is associated with clinically significant bleeding in adult breast surgery patients. The results demonstrated conflicting evidence for ketorolac use. No literature has established a causal relationship between ketorolac and clinically significant bleeding. Future research avenues include geriatric, pediatric, labor and delivery, dosing, and randomized control …

Perioperative Methadone Use And Postoperative Pain Control In Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Spinal Fusion Surgery, Amelia Haney

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Patients undergoing elective spinal fusion surgeries often experience moderate to severe postoperative pain (Murphy et al., 2017). The use of perioperative methadone has been suggested as an effective adjunct for patients to reduce postoperative pain, decrease opioid use, and improve patient satisfaction (Murphy et al., 2017). Traditional opioid management of orthopedic spine surgeries include intermittent injections or patient-controlled analgesia devices. These approaches may cause fluctuating levels of opioids or require patient education and cooperation to be effective (Murphy & Szokol, 2019). Methadone has a much longer elimination half-life when compared to other opioids, and therefore may provide patients with a …

Benefits Of Ketamine Versus Propofol In Acute Traumatic Brain Injuries With Elevated Intracranial Pressure, Marissa Diloreto

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Ketamine is a widely used medication that can be administered for the delivery of anesthesia as well as analgesia while supporting hemodynamics. A commonly taught concept based on early research is that ketamine should not be administered to those with acute brain injuries. Early research had stated that ketamine can cause a dangerous increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) and thus a decrease in cerebral perfusion and oxygenation in those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) (Takeshita et al., 1972). More recent research has shown that ketamine may be efficacious for patients with TBIs and can decrease ICP (Dengler et al., 2022). …

The Role Of Intraoperative Esmolol Vs Ketamine In Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Rebekah Bitar

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

As the understanding of opioid dependence mechanisms and origins in the adult population continues to evolve in the United States, so does the pursuit of alternative avenues for analgesia. Many opioid substance-use disorder patients can trace the origins of their dependence to routine prescription and administration of opioids during surgical procedures (Bohringer et al., 2020). One such procedure where opioids are frequently utilized for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Incidence of gall bladder disease is closely related to obesity (Hines & Marschall, 2018). Gallstone disease continues to be a common and costly health problem affecting 10 to 20% …

Effects Of Intravenous Lidocaine Infusions On Postoperative Opioid Consumption In Adults Undergoing Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery, Kayla Richardson

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is often administered to surgical patients undergoing anesthesia. While it was originally utilized as an intravenous antiarrhythmic or for local infiltration, it is now frequently used for the proven opioid-sparing and anti-inflammatory effects during surgeries (Beaussier et al., 2018). A common complaint of postoperative patients is pain, and the administration of intravenous lidocaine can potentially decrease patients' perception of pain after surgical procedures (Lee & Schraag, 2022).

Opioids are commonly administered to patients to help control their pain immediately after surgical procedures. Though opioids are the typically chosen treatment for acute surgical pain, they …

The Utility Of Thromboelastography In Acute Perioperative Trauma Resuscitation Of The Adult Coagulopathic Patient, Alexandra Sofia Keokosky

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

One quarter of all patients admitted to level I trauma centers receive transfused blood, and approximately 25% of trauma transfusion recipients are diagnosed with coagulopathies during the resuscitation process (Hess et al., 2008; Kutcher & Cohen, 2021; Maegele et al., 2007). Such pathologies have been associated with negative clinical outcomes such as increased transfusion requirements, organ failure, sepsis, and death. (Barash et al., 2013; Cole et al., 2019; Hess et al., 2008; Sayce et al., 2020). Current laboratory standards of care to diagnose coagulopathies such as prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are …

Recurrence And Metastasis Of Breast Cancer After Volatile Inhalation Agents For Primary Cancer Resection, Elise Amico

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Surgical resection of a breast tumor is frequently a treatment option for cancer, and in some cases can be curative (Hurtado et al., 2021). Multiple factors increase the risk of metastasis or recurrence including the neuroendocrine stress response to surgery and manipulation of the tumor itself (Kim, 2018). Additional factors include depression of cell-mediated immunity including sympathetic nervous system (SNS) stimulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stimulation, and pain (Hurtado et al., 2021). Research suggests that anesthetic selection, particularly total intravenous anesthesia versus volatile inhalation anesthesia (IA), has an impact on cancer recurrence and metastasis in breast cancer patients, however it remains …

Effectiveness Of Ondansetron Prior To Spinal Anesthesia In Obese Parturients Undergoing Caesarean Delivery, Peter O. Lind

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Spinal anesthesia is the preferred route of anesthesia for parturients undergoing casesarean section (Hawkins et al., 2011). Parturients with obesity undergo caesarean delivery and have higher rates of initial intrathecal failure comparatively to non-obese (Hood, et al, 2015). Obesity is on the rise leading to a reconsideration as to the dosing of spinal anesthetic type (Dennis, 2017). Historically, the utilization of ondansetron, as a selective 5-HT3 antagonist, has been utilized prior to spinal administration to prevent the sympathectomy that can occur (Sahoo et al., 2012). This has decreased the utilization of vasopressors which can be detrimental to the fetus during …

Airway Management And The Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients, Chandler Barnes

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

The pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) relates to anatomical and non-anatomical factors. Anatomical considerations correlate to narrowing of the pharynx. When present, non-anatomical factors can intensify the severity of OSA and ease of collapsibility of upper airway tissue. The negative consequences of untreated OSA are well-defined and many treatment options are available. The novel hypoglossal nerve stimulator makes for a viable treatment option in patients who do not tolerate more traditional therapy, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and meets eligibility requirements of device implantation as outlined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Inspire® Hypoglossal Nerve …

The Effects Of Propofol Versus Sevoflurane In Surgical Lung Cancer Patients, Jordan Kelley

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent type of lung cancer. Lung cancer leads all cancer death rates worldwide. Surgical treatment for NSCLC warrants a role for the anesthetist to influence recurrence-free survival, overall survivability, and overall mortality. Literature suggests propofol and sevoflurane are linked to immunosuppressive characteristics by decreasing immunity via different mechanisms. Propofol has known anti-inflammatory effects, but studies reveal sevoflurane has similar capabilities. Sevoflurane may attenuate the metastatic potential of lung cancer by stopping platelet activation, but sevoflurane may also enhance other pathways of metastasis. Similarly, propofol has anti-metastatic abilities, hindering angiogenesis by downregulating necessary …

Comparing Intravenous And Inhalation Anesthetics For Intraoperative Anesthesia In Adult Patients With An Acute Traumatic Brain Injury, Natasha K. Moody

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

As research and science has progressed to further analyze the effects of anesthetics on cerebral physiology, the margin of safety for each anesthetic is reassessed to enhance patient outcomes and recovery. The purpose of this review is to strategically examine and provide updated information on the impact of specific anesthetics administered during the intraoperative period as it applies to patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). In efforts to preserve the cerebral physiology of the patient, current research has identified benefits of administering intravenous over inhalation anesthetics to reduce secondary injuries that have been linked to chronic TBI, morbidity, and …

The Impact Of Dexmedetomidine Use In Patients Over The Age Of 60 Undergoing General Anesthesia On Postoperative Delirium Incidence, Elaina Branco

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and postoperative delirium (POD) are of concern in the elderly population undergoing an anesthetic due to increased mortality and decreased quality of life that can ensue. Sui et al. (2021) reported a 15-50% incidence of POD in elderly surgical patients. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective, alpha-2 agonist with sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties that mimics a sleep-like state and causes bradycardia and hypotension but not respiratory depression. Dexmedetomidine has neuroprotective properties, including anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammation (Wu et al., 2019). A current review of the literature revealed that dexmedetomidine use can decrease POD incidence in the aged …

The Effect Of Clonidine On Hyperbaric Bupivacaine And Opioid In Cesarean Section Women Under Spinal Anesthesia, Novisi Abba

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Pain is undoubtedly one of the most undesirable outcomes associated with cesarean section in parturients. The most effective post-cesarean section pain relief option should prioritize maternal, fetal, and neonatal safety, with minimal to no medication transfer to the fetus and neonate. In obstetric anesthesia, neuraxial approaches, with the inclusion of adjuncts like clonidine for pain management may provide some additional benefits. Consequently, obstetric anesthesia practitioners have increasingly used intrathecal clonidine to alleviate post-cesarean section pain. This manuscript examines whether intrathecal clonidine, when combined with hyperbaric bupivacaine and/or opioids (fentanyl and/or preservative-free morphine), has a sustained analgesic effect in parturients following …

Do The Benefits Of Sugammadex Outweigh Its Higher Cost Compared To Neostigmine?, Ashley Mcdonald

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are frequently utilized in anesthetic practice to relax the vocal cords in preparation for endotracheal intubation and to facilitate optimal operating conditions for various surgical procedures. Residual muscle paralysis in the postoperative period is a serious consequence of NMBAs that can lead to severe consequences including airway obstruction, hypoxia, reintubation, aspiration, and pneumonia. Neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is overcome either by spontaneous recovery or, in most cases, with the use of a reversal agent. Two of the most common reversal agents are neostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, and sugammadex, a modified gamma-cyclodextrin. Of the two medications, sugammadex is …

Efficacy Of Dexmedetomidine As An Opioid Sparing Adjunct To Regional Anesthesia For Shoulder Surgery, Matthew Austin

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Regional anesthetics are often the preferred route for patients who are having orthopedic shoulder procedures (Rai & Bhutia, 2017). Traditionally, plain local anesthetics, like bupivacaine or ropivacaine, are used as the local anesthetic of choice because of their fast onset and relatively predictable duration of action. However, several different additives have been trialed to prolong the duration or improve the density of regional blocks. When looking at additives to regional anesthetic techniques, side effects and duration of the block can be unpredictable and unpleasant. For example, additives like fentanyl, morphine, and dexamethasone have been trialed in regional techniques and have …

The Role Of Awake Fiberoptic Intubation In The Difficult Airway, Robert Montague

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI) is a specialized technique used by anesthesia providers to decrease the risk of airway management during tracheal intubation of a predicted difficult airway. The rate of AFOI has decreased, and the advent of the video laryngoscope may be a contributing factor. However, there is still a need for AFOI. This case study reviews the relevance of, current indications for, and best practices for performing AFOI. Is AFOI still relevant in current anesthesia practice when managing airway difficulties such as limited mouth opening, obstructive sleep apnea, limited neck extension, head and neck pathology, morbid obesity, and progressive …

Dexmedetomidine As An Adjunct To Regional And Neuraxial Anesthesia, Tobin Tollett

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Regional and neuraxial anesthetic techniques are ever-expanding, and an understanding of the tools, medications, and adjuncts associated with these techniques is prudent for anesthesia providers. One goal of these techniques is to extend pain management beyond the initial surgical phase by using long-acting local anesthetics with or without adjunct medications. The purpose of this review is to detail the clinical utility, benefits, and risks of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to regional and neuraxial anesthetic techniques. This review includes an analysis of literature of over 20 randomized controlled trials comparing the use of dexmedetomidine to other adjuncts in common regional and …

Current Recommendations For The Perioperative Management Of Patients On Buprenorphine: A Case Study, Coreen Tanner

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than 2 million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder (DHHS, 2020). Opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) for OUD has been shown to reduce the rates of inpatient hospitalization and overall opioid-related mortality (Quaye & Zhang, 2019). Buprenorphine is a partial mu receptor agonist and kappa receptor antagonist that is used frequently by patients on OMT. Beginning in 2010 annual prescriptions for buprenorphine products have increased dramatically (Lembke, Ottestad, & Schmiesing, 2019).

With the rising level of chronic pain and opioid use nationally, more and more patients taking buprenorphine are presenting …

Norepinephrine Use In Septic Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia, Lauren Reed

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Anesthesia providers are frequently confronted by the problem of caring for patients presenting with sepsis in the operating room. Sepsis is associated with high healthcare costs and a significant mortality rate despite advancements in the understanding of its complicated pathophysiology. The 2016 Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends norepinephrine as the first-choice vasopressor in septic patients. Its mild beta-adrenergic effects, in addition to its alpha-adrenergic effects, make it an attractive agent for the vasoplegia and myocardial dysfunction associated with sepsis. Earlier achievement of adequate perfusion pressures, earlier lactate clearance, and higher in-hospital survival have all been associated with norepinephrine use in the …

Simulation To Reduce Medical Errors And Improve Patient Safety In Anesthesia, Matthew Leblanc

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Over the past two decades, simulation in medical education has been adopted by health education programs and established as a proven method of education for health care students and providers. Despite the addition of simulation to healthcare education, medical errors are ranked as the third leading cause of death in the United States. The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the translation of simulation education into increased patient safety and reduction of medical errors in anesthesia. Overall, the literature reviewed confirms that simulation can be used to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety. Additional correlational research between …

Dexmedetomidine Use And Various Techniques Of Administration To Reduce Emergence Delirium In Pediatric Surgical Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia With Volatile Agents, Sara K. Dusza

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

This analysis of literature evaluated retrospective chart reviews and randomized controlled trials of school aged children undergoing surgical procedures necessitating general anesthesia with volatile inhalant anesthetic agents. These studies assessed and compared the efficacy of various routes and timing of administration of dexmedetomidine as a pre-medication to determine the most effective technique in reducing the incidence of postoperative emergence delirium (ED). ED presents as a transient, acute episode of delirium occurring during the transition from unconsciousness to complete wakefulness after general anesthesia with anesthetic gases. The results of this review suggested that pediatric patients treated with intranasal dexmedetomidine preoperatively experienced …

Treating Post-Dural Puncture Headaches: Sphenopalatine Block, Cosyntropin And Epidural Blood Patch, Amalia Zychowicz

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a severe and debilitating complication that can occur following neuraxial anesthesia. Obstetric patients are at an increased risk for this complication due to their gender, young age, and widespread use of neuraxial anesthesia. A hallmark sign of PDPH is a postural headache that improves when lying down and worsens when sitting or standing. It requires prompt diagnosis and treatment due to its incapacitating effects. The gold-standard treatment for PDPH is an epidural blood patch (EBP). However, this is an invasive procedure with multiple contraindications and the potential for severe complications. Noninvasive, more conservative therapies such …

Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine In Reducing Postoperative Adverse Effects In The Pediatric Population, Robert Vieto Jr.

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Neostigmine and sugammadex are two medications used to reverse the neuromuscular blockade caused by nondepolarizing aminosteroidal neuromuscular blocking agents. Research has shown an association between the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as neostigmine, and residual neuromuscular blockade in pediatric patients. Sugammadex has been shown to reduce residual neuromuscular blockade in adults without adverse effects, but minimal research has been performed on the effects of sugammadex in the pediatric population. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to compare sugammadex and neostigmine to determine if using sugammadex instead of neostigmine reduces postoperative adverse effects in the pediatric population. A systematic, …

Basic Airway Management For Non-Anesthesia Operating Room Personnel: Education Implementation, Dylan Ouellette

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

A review of basic airway management for non-anesthesia personnel is presented. Included is a literature review of 20 articles surrounding the most current literature on preoperative airway assessment, cricoid pressure, video laryngoscopy, adjuncts for airway management, and airway management education for non-anesthesia health-care personnel. Following the review, an in-service style education presentation was developed and implemented at two sites in Maine. A pre- and post-test evaluation of the participants demonstrated an overall increase in test scores of 22%.

Anesthetic Implications Of Intraarterial Chemotherapy For Retinoblastoma: A Literature Review, Marguerite Mullin

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare pediatric cancer commonly diagnosed in patients at a very young age. New therapies for this disease are emerging that involve some degree of sedation, requiring anesthesia providers to be involved in their care. Intraarterial chemotherapy (IAC) is one of these new exciting treatment options and requires general anesthesia. Multiple studies and case reports have reported a sudden decrease in pulmonary compliance during IAC for RB and attribute this response to the trigemino-cardiac reflex (TCR). Once this event occurs, patients experience associated hypoxemia, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. A systematic literature review was aimed at educating …