Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What constitutes assault and battery in healthcare?

1. A verbal threat that is turned into action

2. Giving medication without permission

3. Failing to inform the patient of a treatment

4. Ignoring a patient's request

The correct answer is: A verbal threat that is turned into action

Assault and battery in the context of healthcare involves actions where a healthcare provider deliberately threatens or harms a patient. The correct response accurately captures this principle by indicating that a verbal threat, when acted upon, constitutes both assault (the threat itself) and battery (the actual physical act that follows). This highlights the significance of respecting patient autonomy and the necessity of obtaining consent before any action is taken. In comparing other options, giving medication without permission aligns more closely with battery but does not encompass the complete definition of assault, which requires the element of a threat. Failing to inform a patient of a treatment primarily relates to informed consent and may lead to claims of negligence, but it doesn’t fit the definitions of assault and battery. Lastly, ignoring a patient's request might reflect a lack of proper care or communication but does not inherently involve the threats or physical action necessary to constitute assault and battery. Thus, the essence of the correct answer lies in the acknowledgment of both the verbal threat and the subsequent action that defines assault and battery in healthcare settings.