A surgeon performed a routine appendectomy on a patient. During the surgery, the surgeon severed a major artery because he failed to identify it correctly due to his reliance on outdated anatomy knowledge, which he had not refreshed in several years. The patient filed a lawsuit claiming that the surgeon acted negligently. What standard of care will the court most likely apply in determining the surgeon's liability?
The reasonable expectations of the patient undergoing the surgery.
The level of skill, knowledge, and care customarily practiced by similar professionals in the field.
The practices of a surgeon working in the same hospital.
The judgment of an average person without specialized medical training.
The standard for professionals, such as surgeons, is based on what a reasonably prudent professional in the same field would do under similar circumstances. This is assessed by considering the customary practices and standards in the profession. Professionals are held to a higher standard than laypersons due to their specialized training and expertise. The surgeon's failure to stay updated on advancements in his field may indicate a deviation from that standard. Other options may reference general standards or other professions, but these are inappropriate for assessing professional negligence.
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