Which of the following describes the role of a nurse anesthetist?

• A. Carries out preoperative visits and assessments; administers and monitors anesthesia during surgery; evaluates postoperative status.
• B. Performs surgical incisions.
• C. Prescribes chemotherapy.
• D. Provides only pain assessment postoperatively.

Answer: (A)

Understanding the scope of a nurse anesthetist is essential. A nurse anesthetist oversees the entire anesthesia process: preoperative visits and assessments to plan care, administering and monitoring anesthesia during the procedure, and evaluating the patient’s postoperative status to ensure safe recovery. This full sequence matches the described role, which includes preparation, intraoperative management, and postoperative assessment. The other options miss key aspects: surgical incisions are performed by the surgeon; prescribing chemotherapy is not part of anesthesia care; and postoperative pain assessment alone does not reflect the full responsibilities of administering and monitoring anesthesia across the perioperative period.