What it means
A general name for whoever is responsible for anesthesia in a case: an anesthesiologist (a physician), a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or an anesthesiologist assistant working with an anesthesiologist. They assess the client before surgery, choose and give the anesthetic, manage the airway, and care for the client until they hand over in the recovery area.
For the nurse
Report to the anesthesia provider anything that affects anesthesia safety: allergies, the time the client last ate or drank, loose teeth, a personal or family history of problems with anesthesia, and drugs taken that day.
At a glance
| Also written | anesthesia providers |
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Related terms
anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.
malignant hyperthermia
A rare inherited reaction to certain general anesthesia drugs in which the muscles' metabolism speeds up out of control.