Which organization publishes Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice that CRNAs should follow?

• A. The Joint Commission
• B. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
• C. The National Academy of Medicine
• D. The American Nurses Association

Answer: (B)

The organization that publishes the Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice CRNAs should follow is the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. These standards are specifically developed for the nurse anesthesia profession and define what safe, competent, and ethical practice looks like for CRNAs, including how patient assessments, anesthesia planning, monitoring, documentation, and post-anesthesia care should be conducted, along with professional responsibilities.

Understanding why this one fits best helps distinguish it from others. The Joint Commission focuses on accrediting healthcare organizations and their overall safety and quality requirements, not the specialized practice standards for nurse anesthetists. The National Academy of Medicine provides guidance and policy input on broader healthcare issues rather than prescribing practice standards for a specific nursing specialty. The American Nurses Association publishes general nursing standards and codes of ethics, which apply to nurses broadly but do not address the unique scope and standards of nurse anesthesia practice.