Opinion ID: 331435
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Obligation of Nurse-Anesthetist to Follow Surgeon's Orders.

Text: 42 The court restricted testimony relating to due care of the nurse and attending physicians to the standard applicable to the practice of nursing and medicine in the Deadwood, South Dakota, area. 10 Nevertheless, the obligation of a nurse to comply with a physician's instructions and directions is governed, at least in part, by a statute of statewide effect. See note 6, supra. Thus, a nurse in Deadwood, South Dakota, assumes the same duty in administering medications under a physician's direction as a nurse at any hospital in South Dakota. 43 Dr. Robert K. Johnson, an internal medicine specialist and a member of a hospital staff in Rapid City, South Dakota, was not permitted to testify concerning relationships between a physician or surgeon and a nurse or nurse-anesthetist relating to the prescription and administration of anesthetics. It would appear that the testimony of any qualified physician serving on a hospital staff in South Dakota and working with nurses and nurse-anesthetists should be able to explain that relationship to a jury. We are not prepared to say that in the context of this case the exclusion of that testimony constituted prejudicial error. However, in light of our comments here, in retrial the court may wish to review its order. 11 44