Course Syllabus
Yale-New Haven Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia
Basic Principles of Anesthesia
Course Description: This course is non-credit bearing and represents the didactic portion of the
anesthesia practicum. It covers a variety of basic concepts which are essential to the
comprehensive care of the anesthetized patient. Topics include pre-operative assessment of
the patient, preoperative medications, anesthetic agents and related drugs, general and
regional anesthesia, fluid replacement, acid-base balance, postoperative care and anesthetic
care of specific patient populations. This introductory course is offered in conjunction with labs
which compliment the Advanced Physical Assessment course given at CCSU as well as a weekly
CRNA shadowing experience in the operating rooms at YNHH SRC.
Text: Miller, RD and Pardo, MC. Basics of Anesthesia (6th ed.). 2011:Philadelphia, PA; Elsevier
Health Sciences. (Electronic version is available through Expert Consult/Inkling).
Faculty: Marianne S. Cosgrove, CRNA, DNAP, APRN
Nicole Hymel, CRNA, MSN, APRN
Carmen Brown, CRNA, MS, APRN
Tom Cooke, CRNA, MS, APRN
Ramon Gonzalez, MD (PA Lab)
Amy LaMacchia, CRNA, MS, APRN
Rocco Marando, MD
Kyle McClintock, CRNA, MS, APRN (PA Lab)
Ashley Phillips, CRNA, MS, APRN
Laura Wilhelm, RN, MSN
Mike Wilhelm, CRNA, MS, APRN
Course Objectives: At the end of this course the student will have the ability to:
 Perform a comprehensive preoperative evaluation
 Demonstrate basic skill in record keeping
 Comprehend the value of and need for pre-operative medication
 Demonstrate beginning knowledge of anesthetics utilized for various cases and the
factors that influence these choices
 Review the basic components of the anesthesia machine
 Review airway anatomy and various types of airway equipment
o discuss care of the difficult airway patient
 Review various monitoring modalities utilized in the care of the anesthetized
patient.







Review positioning of the surgical patient
o discuss injury prevention
o delineate various injuries as a result of malpositioning
Discuss the basics of fluid and blood administration during surgery
Define acid/base balance; review blood gas analysis
Review the basics of regional anesthesia: relevant anatomy, techniques,
medications commonly used, complications
Review the variations in care of special patient populations:
o at the extremes of age (pediatric and elderly patients)
o the obstetric patient
o the obese patient
o the patient with cardiac and pulmonary compromise
o the patient with renal and hepatic compromise
Demonstrate the provision of a comprehensive report in PACU
Delineate the post-operative course for the uncomplicated patient, potential issues
that may arise, and postoperative pain management
Grading Policy: 4 computerized exams will be given via CCSU’s Blackboard (Bb) website during
the course. Each exam constitutes 25% of the final grade; there are no cumulative exams.
***Please note that, although CCSU grading guidelines will be followed, a final cumulative
average of 82% must be achieved to continue in the nurse anesthesia program. THIS
INTRODUCTORY COURSE IS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR THE CLINICAL PRACTICUM AND ALL OTHER
DIDACTIC COURSES THAT FOLLOW.
100%-90%=A
89%-80%=B (< 82 = FAIL)
79%-70%=C
69%-60%=D
Below 60%=F
Class scheduling: Spring semester: see attached schedule