A nurse is caring for a client who repeatedly refuses meals. The nurse overhears an assistive personnel (AP) telling the client, "If you don't eat, I'll put restraints on your wrists and feed you." The nurse should intervene and explain to the AP that this statement constitutes which of the following torts?

A. Incorrect – Battery involves physical harm or unwanted touching, which has not occurred here. B. Incorrect – Negligence is failure to provide proper care, which does not apply to this threat. C. Correct – Assault is a threat of harm, even if no physical contact occurs. The AP is threatening the client with restraints, which is coercion. D. Incorrect – Malpractice is professional negligence leading to harm, which does not describe this situation.