Which action is considered an example of battery in healthcare?

Forcing a patient to take medication against their will is indeed an example of battery in healthcare. Battery involves the unlawful physical act of applying force to someone without their consent. In the context of healthcare, this means taking actions that violate a patient's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own medical treatments.

When a healthcare provider forces medication upon a patient who has expressed a desire not to take it, they are not only acting without consent but may also be causing physical harm, discomfort, or psychological distress to the patient. Consent is a fundamental ethical and legal principle in healthcare, which includes the requirement to respect a patient’s wishes regarding their treatment options. This is why such an act can be classified as battery.

In contrast, providing necessary information to a patient, offering them a choice of treatment plans, or even making a misdiagnosis (while it might have serious implications) do not constitute battery. These actions typically involve varying degrees of communication, care, or error without the element of physical force that characterizes battery. Therefore, the act of coercing a patient into medication explicitly violates their rights and is a clear case of battery in medical ethics and law.