A nurse is about to administer an injection to a client when the client states, "I don't want that injection. The last time I got that I was sore for a week." The nurse goes ahead and administers the injection against the client's wishes. The nurse committed which of the following?

A. Battery: Battery is the intentional and unauthorized physical contact with a client, such as administering an injection against their will. By giving the injection despite the client’s refusal, the nurse has committed battery. B. Assault: Assault refers to the threat or attempt to cause harm that makes the client fear imminent contact. The client’s statement does not involve a threatened action; the actual administration is what constitutes battery. C. Coercion: Coercion involves pressuring a client to act against their wishes, but it does not include the physical act of administering treatment without consent. While related ethically, the legal violation here is battery. D. A breach of duty: A breach of duty occurs when a nurse fails to provide the standard of care, which may lead to harm. Administering an injection without consent is a legal violation rather than a simple breach of duty.