Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #154

Submission information
Submission Number: 154
Submission ID: 9002
Submission UUID: 7bb656e0-4dd9-4252-a550-e5314b473340

Created: Mon, 01/19/2026 - 09:30 AM
Completed: Mon, 01/19/2026 - 10:23 AM
Changed: Sun, 02/01/2026 - 09:09 AM

Remote IP address: 67.235.200.51
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Student Contact First Name Garrett
Primary Student Contact Last Name Verkaik
Pronouns
Primary Student Contact FSU Student Email gvv23@fsu.edu
Photo of all individuals presenting this work GVphoto.jpg
Major(s) of all individuals presenting this work DNAP
Bio of all individuals presenting this work James Sparks - Born and raised in Paris, TX. James Graduated nursing school in 2021 and went directly into an ICU working through the COVID pandemic. It was in the ICU that James found his passion for critical care, and opened the possibility of pursuing nurse anesthesia.

Garrett Verkaik - Garrett was born and raised in central Florida and also graduated nursing school in 2021. Garrett also went directly into the ICU where he developed a desire for individualized care and critical patients, and thus the pursuit of nurse anesthesia.
Poster Title Ideal Body Weight Dosing of Dexmedetomidine
Abstract Dexmedetomidine is an α₂-adrenergic agonist used widely in anesthesia for its analgesic,
sympatholytic, and recovery-enhancing properties. Despite its benefits, considerable variation
exists in provider dosing practices, limiting consistency in patient outcomes. Current evidence
suggests that ideal body weight (IBW)–based bolus dosing provides a more standardized and
clinically effective approach, improving postoperative pain control, decreasing postoperative
nausea and vomiting (PONV), and reducing delirium in laparoscopic surgical populations.
This project was guided by the PICO question: Do patients undergoing elective
laparoscopic procedures who receive IBW-based bolus doses of dexmedetomidine, compared
with prior non-standardized dosing practices, have better recovery experiences?
Using a pre–post survey design, this practice improvement project evaluated anesthesia
providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and dosing methods before and after viewing an educational
flyer on IBW-based dexmedetomidine dosing. Anesthesia providers at four hospitals were invited
to participate voluntarily. Survey responses demonstrated an increased likelihood of using IBW-
based dosing, greater recognition of key benefits, and a reduction in perceived barriers to
dexmedetomidine use.
Research Mentor Name Dr. Kyle Hodgen
Research Mentor's College (or High School) FSU PC
Research Mentor's Department (or Subject) DNAP
Research Mentor's Email rkh23a@fsu.edu
Additional Research Mentor(s) Dr. Stacey VanDyke, Dr. Jerry Hogan
Co-presenter(s) James Sparks
Keywords Cade Garrett Dex
Poster Session/Number
Work Complete
Presentation Modality Synchronous Online Presentation
Poster PDF
Poster Thumbnail
I will be printing my poster No
Year 2026
Annual description 5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025
Update URL https://pc.fsu.edu/student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal?element_parents=elements/student_photo&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=Fr-UJOs8WLgcB80XuQXghdclvPA2s4E2Y3l4pS9dq6Q