My Favorite Learners Podcast

New(er) to the crew: Remimazolam, Sugammadex, & Novel Opioids

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 effects We 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 drugs Whether you’re an SRNA, CRNA, resident, or anesthesia nerd who loves pharmacology, this episode will help you connect the science to clinical practice.

Serotonin Syndrome, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome & Malignant Hyperthermia: How to Tell Them Apart

Three life-threatening syndromes. Similar presentations. Very different causes and treatments. In this episode, Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA, breaks down how to quickly differentiate Serotonin Syndrome, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), and Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) - a must-know topic for anesthesia learners and board prep. We cover: ✔️ Key clinical signs and classic presentations ✔️ Triggering medications and anesthetic agents ✔️ Rigidity vs clonus vs hyperreflexia ✔️ Why ETCO₂ matters in MH ✔️ Treatment plans: cyproheptadine, dantrolene, bromocriptine, supportive care ✔️ High-yield NBCRNA/NCE test pearls ✔️ Real-world perioperative implications If you’ve ever mixed these up, this episode will help you organize them fast and remember what matters most when seconds count. 🎧 Perfect for SRNAs, CRNAs, and anyone studying advanced pharmacology.

Inside CRNA Admissions: What the Committee Really Looks For

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.

Cyanide, CO, & Methemoglobinemia in Anesthesia with Chloe Gomez

In this episode of My Favorite Learners, we break down three high-stakes anesthesia emergencies that every provider must recognize quickly: cyanide toxicity, carbon monoxide poisoning, and methemoglobinemia. You’ll learn how to differentiate these conditions in real time when oxygenation doesn’t match the clinical picture, why standard monitors can be misleading, and how to choose the correct treatment under pressure. We cover key mechanisms, classic board-style clues, and the pharmacology behind life-saving antidotes - so you can think fast, act confidently, and be ready for both the OR and the NCE.

Antihypertensives & Anesthesia: The Meds That Love to Mess with Your Hemodynamics with Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA

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 hypotension * Calcium channel blockers (DHP vs non-DHP): vascular vs nodal effects * Alpha agonists and antagonists * How antihypertensives alter MAP, CO, SVR, and reflex tachycardia * Why certain antihypertensives increase the risk of induction hypotension * What to hold, continue, or anticipate on the day of surgery Throughout the episode, complex pharmacology is tied directly to: * Hemodynamic management in anesthesia * Common board scenarios and NBCRNA-style reasoning * Vasopressor choice and response * Drug interactions with propofol, volatile agents, opioids, and neuraxial anesthesia This 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.