Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam 2025 - Free Patient Care Technician Practice Questions and Study Guide

Drawing a patient's blood without their permission can be considered assault and battery because it involves performing an invasive procedure on someone without their consent. Assault refers to the act of creating a reasonable apprehension of harmful or offensive contact, while battery is the actual act of making that contact. In the context of healthcare, obtaining consent is fundamental; it acknowledges the patient’s autonomy and right to make informed decisions about their own body.

When a healthcare professional performs a procedure, such as drawing blood, without obtaining explicit permission, it not only violates ethical and legal standards but can also cause emotional distress to the patient. This lack of consent transforms what could be a routine medical procedure into a potentially criminal act, making it a serious issue within the legal landscape of healthcare. Hence, the action directly correlates with the definitions of assault and battery in the context of patient rights and medical ethics.