When Nurses Disobey

Question 1

Charles Hofling et al (1966)

Answer 1

Arranged for an unknown doctor to telephone 22 nurses and ask each of the to administer an overdose of ‘Astroten’, a drug that was not on their ward lift.

Question 2

95% of nurses

Answer 2

These nurses started to administer the drug (and were prevented from continuing). The nurses obeyed without question.

Question 3

Steven Rank and Cardell Jacobson (1977)

Answer 3

Replicated Hofling’s study but the nurses were told face to face by a doctor to administer an overdose of ‘valium’ which was a drug that they were familiar with. The nurses were allowed to discuss the order with each other.

Question 4

2/18

Answer 4

These nurses obeyed the doctor in these more realistic circumstances.