What legal term describes administering an injection to a client who has refused it?

The correct term for administering an injection to a client who has refused it is battery. In the legal context, battery refers to the unlawful physical act of applying force to another person without their consent. When a client explicitly declines a medical intervention, such as an injection, and a healthcare provider proceeds with that action regardless of the patient's wishes, it constitutes battery because the patient’s right to make decisions about their own body has been violated.

In scenarios involving patient care, it is critical to obtain informed consent before any procedure is performed. This means the patient must be fully aware of and agree to the treatment after understanding the risks and benefits involved. When this consent is not obtained and a procedure is performed contrary to the patient's wishes, it falls under the definition of battery, as it involves the intentional and non-consensual administration of a substance or treatment to a person. This legal principle emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy and the consequences of disregarding it.