What did the AANA want physician groups to recognize about nurses in the joint statement?

• A. To be recognized as independent physicians
• B. To be recognized as colleagues and co-team members
• C. To be removed from the practice
• D. To be absorbed into medical schools

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is recognizing the value of teamwork between physicians and nurses in anesthesia care. The joint statement asks physician groups to see nurses as colleagues and co‑team members who contribute essential expertise to the patient’s care. This view supports open communication, shared decision‑making, and integrated planning, all of which improve safety and outcomes for patients receiving anesthesia. Treating nurses as equal partners reinforces trust, clarifies roles, and ensures that both physicians and nurse anesthetists collaborate effectively. The other options would undermine collaborative practice by implying independence, removal, or assimilation, which do not align with a team-based approach.