DNAP 517 Advanced Physiology for the Nurse Anesthetist

This course provides a comprehensive overview of human physiology with an emphasis on the systems most critical to anesthetic practice. Core topics include cellular physiology, neurophysiology, cardiovascular and respiratory function, renal and hepatic regulation, acid–base balance, and endocrine responses. Special attention is given to physiological mechanisms underlying the body’s response to anesthesia, surgery, and perioperative stressors.

Nurse Anesthesia Residents (NARs) will critically examine normal physiology to understand how it is affected by pharmacologic interventions, anesthetic agents, and disease processes in future courses. By integrating foundational science with clinical application, NARs will be better prepared to anticipate physiological changes, optimize patient safety, and customize anesthetic care.

Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and case-based analysis, NARs will develop the advanced physiological knowledge required to make informed, evidence-based decisions in complex anesthesia practice.