If a CNA threatens to hit a patient if they don’t stop yelling, what crime have they committed?

The scenario describes a situation where a CNA verbally threatens to hit a patient, which constitutes a clear act of intimidation or threat. This behavior falls under the legal definition of assault.

Assault involves creating a reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact. In this case, the threat of hitting the patient, even without any physical contact, places the patient in fear for their safety. Therefore, the act of threatening to hit represents the legal definition of assault because it is about the fear or apprehension generated in the victim, rather than the actual act of hitting, which would be classified as battery.

Battery, on the other hand, refers to the actual act of causing physical harm or offensive contact with another person. Since the CNA only threatened and did not follow through with physical contact, the more accurate classification of the CNA’s actions is assault.

Physical neglect typically involves failing to provide necessary care, while emotional neglect relates to a lack of emotional support or interaction. Neither of these options applies to the situation presented, as there is no mention of failure to provide care or emotional support in the scenario. Thus, the most appropriate answer to the question is assault.