When a CNA force feeds a patient in order to meet a meal goal, what has the CNA committed?

When a CNA force feeds a patient, the act constitutes battery. Battery refers to the unlawful and intentional physical contact with another person without their consent. In the context of healthcare, this means that any action taken by a caregiver that directly causes physical harm or unwanted contact with a patient, without their consent, can be classified as battery. Force-feeding, even with the intention of helping the patient meet a meal goal, disregards the patient's autonomy and right to refuse treatment, leading to potential harm or distress.

Consent is a fundamental principle in healthcare; patients have the right to make decisions about their own care, including the right to refuse food. In this case, the CNA's actions violated that right, resulting in an act of battery against the patient. The other options, while concerning in their own rights, do not fully capture the legal and ethical implications of using physical force in the context of feeding a patient.