Which role is a master's-trained anesthesia provider working under an anesthesiologist's supervision?

• A. Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA)
• B. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• C. Anesthesiologist
• D. Surgical Technologist

Answer: (A)

Anesthesia teams include professionals who are specifically trained to support the anesthesiologist under physician oversight. Anesthesiologist Assistants are master’s-degree trained anesthesia providers who work directly under an anesthesiologist’s supervision, carrying out many aspects of anesthesia care within the plan the anesthesiologist develops. They help with preop evaluation, administer and monitor anesthesia, manage the airway, and respond to changes during the procedure, all under the supervising physician’s guidance.

The other roles don’t fit this particular description as neatly. A CRNA is a nurse anesthetist who may practice independently or with physician collaboration depending on the setting and jurisdiction, and is not defined primarily by working under an anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist is the physician who leads and oversees the anesthesia care, not the provider working under supervision. A surgical technologist is a support staff member who does not provide anesthesia.