What does forcing care on an incompetent patient equate to legally?

Forcing care on an incompetent patient legally equates to assault because it involves the threat or use of force to compel an individual to accept treatment against their will. Assault, in this context, implies that the patient did not consent to the treatment and may have a reasonable apprehension of being harmed or having their autonomy violated. It is crucial to respect a person's right to make decisions about their own body and care, regardless of their competence level.

While battery also involves an unauthorized touch or contact, it specifically refers to the actual act of physically harming or unwantedly touching someone. In this case, the act of forcing treatment without consent aligns more closely with assault because it conveys the potential for harm and intimidation rather than the physical act itself. Other options, such as negligence or false imprisonment, are broader legal concepts that do not directly address the immediate violation of a person's right to consent when it comes to medical intervention.