Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Obtain informed consent from patients for anesthesia procedures.

Prepare prescribed solutions and administer local, intravenous, spinal, or other anesthetics following specified methods and procedures.

Monitor patients' responses, including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output, using invasive and noninvasive techniques.

Select, prepare, or use equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics.

Evaluate patients' post-surgical or post-anesthesia responses, taking appropriate corrective actions or requesting consultation if complications occur.

Insert arterial catheters or perform arterial punctures to obtain arterial blood samples.

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.

Select, order, or administer pre-anesthetic medications.

Manage patients' airway or pulmonary status using techniques such as endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, respiratory therapy, and extubation.

Disassemble and clean anesthesia equipment.

Instruct nurses, residents, interns, students or other staff on topics such as anesthetic techniques, pain management and emergency responses.

Perform or evaluate the results of diagnostic tests such as radiographs (x-rays) and electrocardiograms (EKGs).

Assess patients' medical histories to predict anesthesia response.

Insert peripheral or central intravenous catheters.

Select, order, or administer anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids or blood products as necessary.

Perform pre-anesthetic screenings, including physical evaluations and patient interviews, and document results.

Calibrate and test anesthesia equipment.

Request anesthesia equipment repairs, adjustments, or safety tests.

Respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administering emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques.

Administer post-anesthesia medications or fluids to support patients' cardiovascular systems.

Develop anesthesia care plans.

Discharge patients from post-anesthesia care.

Select and prescribe post-anesthesia medications or treatments to patients.

Perform or manage regional anesthetic techniques such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks and intravenous blocks.