The perioperative nurse's role in anesthesia management

The perioperative nurse's role in anesthesia management of the surgical patient begins with a preoperative patient assessment and ends when the patient recovers from the effects of anesthesia. An understanding of the following concepts enhances the perioperative nurse's ability to collaborate with anesthesia care providers in providing optimal care: anesthesia risk classifications, choice of anesthetic agents, importance of patient positioning, anesthesia induction and intubation techniques, levels of general anesthesia, inhalational agents, malignant hyperthermia, and patient monitoring parameters during local and regional anesthesia.