Respiratory pharmacology can feel deceptively simple — until you’re managing bronchospasm, hypoxia, or an unstable airway in the OR. In this solo episode of My Favorite Learners, CRNA and clinical faculty Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA breaks down respiratory physiology and pharmacology in a way that actually makes sense for boards, anesthesia practice, and real-time decision making.

In this episode, we cover:

• Beta-2 agonists and how they work at the molecular level

• The Gs → adenylyl cyclase → cAMP → PKA pathway explained without memorization

• Why epinephrine works in severe bronchospasm

• The difference between bronchodilation, airway inflammation, and mucus plugging

• Where steroids (like methylprednisolone) actually fit — and where they don’t

• Common board traps and anesthesia-specific clinical pearls

🧠 Key focus: understanding why these drugs work - not just when to give them.

If you’ve ever memorized respiratory drugs without fully trusting yourself to manage a crashing airway, this episode is for you. We connect physiology to pharmacology, pharmacology to practice, and practice to patient safety — so you can stop data-dumping and start thinking like an anesthesia provider.

Perfect for:

• SRNAs and nurse anesthesia students

• CRNAs teaching or precepting learners

• ICU nurses transitioning to anesthesia

• Anyone who wants respiratory concepts to finally click

As always, this episode is about clarity, confidence, and keeping patients safe - one breath at a time.