CRNA (NCE) study plan
CRNA (NCE) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 8 hours per week
Basic Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology)
Explain autonomic and cardiovascular physiology using a cause-and-effect diagram.
Calculate loading dose, volume of distribution, clearance, and half-life for three anesthetic drugs.
Compare inhaled and intravenous anesthetic pharmacokinetics in a structured table.
Identify ten high-yield pathophysiology mechanisms linked to perioperative complications.
Your checkpoint
Completed 40-question Domain 1 baseline quiz with an error log and a one-page high-yield summary.
Basic Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology) & Anesthesia Equipment, Instrumentation, and Technology
Apply gas laws to calculate cylinder duration and nitrous oxide uptake.
Explain variable-bypass vaporizer function and three common failure modes.
Interpret capnography and pulse oximetry tracings for five clinical scenarios.
List anesthesia machine checkout steps in the correct sequence.
Your checkpoint
One-page equation sheet plus a timed anesthesia machine checkout checklist performed from memory.
Anesthesia Equipment, Instrumentation, and Technology & General Anesthesia and Anesthetic Techniques
Perform a simulated anesthesia machine checkout without references.
Compare supraglottic airway, endotracheal tube, and videolaryngoscope indications.
Sequence induction, maintenance, and emergence for a healthy adult.
Explain low-flow anesthesia principles and agent monitoring.
Your checkpoint
Completed 30-question equipment and general anesthesia quiz with corrected rationales for every miss.
General Anesthesia and Anesthetic Techniques & Regional Anesthesia
Differentiate general, neuraxial, and peripheral regional techniques by surgical indication.
Map lumbar and thoracic dermatomes to common regional blocks.
Calculate maximum local anesthetic dose with and without epinephrine.
Outline recognition and treatment of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
Your checkpoint
Completed 50-question mixed Domain 3-4 quiz and a one-page LAST algorithm written from memory.
Regional Anesthesia
Select an appropriate regional block for six surgical scenarios.
Explain ultrasound needle visualization and local anesthetic spread.
List contraindications and complications for neuraxial and peripheral blocks.
Interpret ten regional anesthesia case vignettes.
Your checkpoint
Completed regional block comparison table plus 20 case-based questions with rationales.
Specialty Anesthesia Populations and Procedures
Adapt anesthesia plans for pediatric, obstetric, geriatric, and cardiac patients.
Calculate pediatric weight-based drug doses and fluid limits.
Compare obstetric physiological changes with normal adult physiology.
Identify common postoperative complications in specialty populations.
Your checkpoint
Three written specialty case plans and a Domain 5 self-test with a score recorded.
Professional Issues and Patient Safety
Apply ASA monitoring and equipment standards to clinical scenarios.
Analyze crisis resource management principles in two emergency scenarios.
Explain informed consent and documentation requirements.
Interpret quality and safety metrics and error-reporting pathways.
Your checkpoint
Completed 30-question professional issues and patient safety quiz plus a safety checklist.
Basic Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology) & Regional Anesthesia
Complete a timed 150-question cumulative exam covering all domains.
Categorize missed items by domain and root cause.
Re-teach the two weakest high-yield concepts using original notes.
Write a final one-page crisis algorithm integrating regional and general anesthesia.
Your checkpoint
Recorded cumulative exam score and a written remediation list for every missed item.
Milestones
Week 2: Domain 1 baseline quiz completed; every missed item has a written mechanism and corrective resource.
Week 4: Mixed Domain 3-4 quiz score is at least 75%; LAST algorithm is reproduced from memory in five minutes or less.
Week 6: Three specialty case plans completed; Domain 5 self-test score is at least 80%.
Week 8: Cumulative exam score is at least 75%; all missed items have remediation notes and a scheduled review date.