Education News
Learning styles: An issue in clinical education?
John P. McDonough, CRNA, EdD, ARNP
Jürgen Osterbrink, RNA, PhD, MScN
Print version: 2005;73:89-93.
Key words: Clinical instruction, instructional effectiveness, learning style.

AANA Journal Course No. 24 Examination
Print version: 2005;73:137-146. 

Articles

Fire in the operating room during tracheotomy: A case report
Dana H. Paugh, CRNA, MA
Kathryn W. White, CRNA, MA
Fire in the operating room is a constant danger, despite the absence of the flammable and explosive anesthetic gases. In this case report, the authors point out the need for prevention strategies, intraoperative vigilance, and quick intervention to prevent further patient injury any time the electrosurgical unit is used in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere.
Print version: 2005;73:97-100.
Key words: Fire, operating room, tracheotomy.

 

Anesthetic considerations for patients with Down syndrome
Mark C. Meitzner, CRNA, MSN
Julie A. Skurnowicz, CRNA, MSN
Patients with Down syndrome present a unique set of anesthetic considerations to the anesthesia provider. The purpose of this review article is to present the anesthesia provider with clinically significant findings that are common to the patient with Down syndrome. In addition to the presentation of clinical anomalies associated with trisomy 21, specific anesthetic considerations and interventions are reviewed.
Print version: 2005;73:103-107.
Key words: Anesthesia, Down syndrome, trisomy 21.

 

Suctioning of an electromyographic endotracheal tube: A case report
Eileen Youshock Evanina, CRNA, MS
Jill L. Hanisak, CRNA, MS
The electromyographic endotracheal tube (EMG-ETT) is a relatively new tool used to measure integrity of the vocal cord structures during surgery. In this case report, the authors stress that if mechanical ventilation is required in the postoperative period, the EMG-ETT should be removed and replaced with a regular ETT to facilitate pulmonary toilet if necessary.
Print version: 2005;73:111-113.
Key words: Endotracheal tube, electromyographic, suctioning.

 

An anesthesia provider's perspective of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Daniel Nay Woodyard, CRNA, MS
In this review article, the author states that anesthesia providers are the primary providers of heparin during surgery, and this places them in a unique position to minimize the adverse effects of heparin use by way of identifying patients at potential risk for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia syndrome and then taking the appropriate measures to decrease adverse outcomes.
Print version: 2005;73:115-119.
Key words: Coagulopathy, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia.

 

The effect of Pencan needle orientation on spinal anesthesia outcomes
LT Kenneth Wofford, CRNA, MS, NC, USNR
LT Shawn Kase, CRNA, MS, NC, USNR
LCDR Jennifer Moore, CRNA, MS, NC, USNR
CDR Joseph Kelly, CRNA, MS, NC, USN
CDR Joseph E. Pellgrini, CRNA, DNSc, NC, USN
Outpatient surgery relies on the rapid induction, recovery, and discharge of the patient as a means of controlling costs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether manipulation of the side port of a 25-gauge pencil-point needle during injection of a hyperbaric bupivacaine-fentanyl admixture would have an impact on the onset, block height, and duration of a spinal anesthetic.
Print version: 2005;73:121-127.
Key words: Bevel oriantation, bupivacaine, fentanyl, Pencan spinal needle, spinal anesthesia.

 

 

AANA Journal Course, Part 1
Update for nurse anesthetists --
Arrhythmia management devices and electromagnetic interference
Emily Mattingly, CRNA, MSNA
The technological complexity of implantable arrhythmia management devices, specifically pacemakers and defibrillators, has increased dramatically since their introduction only a few decades ago. This course serves as a concise review of basic device function, the sources and effects of electromagnetic interference in the operative setting, and patient management recommendations from current literature.
Print version: 2005;73:129-136.
Key words: Cautery, electromagnetic interference, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, magnet, pacemaker.