Acute and chronic pain management and emergency response fall under the CRNA scope of practice.

Acute and chronic pain management and emergency response fall under the CRNA scope of practice.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Only with supervision

Answer: (A)

Acute and chronic pain management and emergency response are integral parts of anesthesia care, which sits squarely in the CRNA scope. CRNAs are trained to assess and treat pain across the perioperative spectrum, using multimodal strategies, regional techniques, and opioid-sparing plans for acute postoperative pain. In many practice settings, they also participate in chronic pain management through clinics or collaborative protocols, depending on local policies and licenses. Emergency response skills—airway management, resuscitation, and rapid stabilization of patients in crisis—are essential in the perioperative and acute care environments, and CRNAs routinely perform these roles within the boundaries of state law and institutional guidelines. Because these activities align with the core responsibilities of anesthesia care, they are considered within the CRNA scope.