The 1966 Astroten Hoax: When Authority Overrides Safety

Twenty-one out of twenty-two nurses complied with a dangerous order from a fictitious doctor.

Nurses administered double the maximum daily dose of Astroten despite clear warning labels.

A single telephone call from a stranger successfully bypassed multiple hospital safety protocols.

Professional nurses and students incorrectly predicted they would refuse the illegal orders in hypothetical scenarios.

The study exposed how rigid hospital hierarchies can silence professional logic and expertise.

Night shift isolation and psychological pressure made nurses more likely to follow unsafe verbal commands.