Intentional touching of another person without their consent, such as forcing a resident to eat a meal, is called what?

• A. Battery
• B. Assault
• C. Fraud
• D. HIPAA

Answer: (A)

The concept here is nonconsensual, intentional physical contact. Forcing a resident to eat against their will involves touching the person and doing so without consent, with the act intended to affect them. That fits battery, which in this context means harmful or offensive physical contact without permission.

Assault would involve a threat or attempt to cause such contact that creates a reasonable fear of imminent harm, but without necessarily resulting in actual contact. Fraud is about deception for personal gain, not about physical contact. HIPAA concerns protecting a resident’s health information, not touching or abuse. So the forcing of a meal is best described as battery.