Final answer:
The act of a nurse committing elder abuse in a nursing home could be classified as battery, negligence, assault, or fraud, depending on the specific circumstances. Elder abuse can include physical, sexual, psychological, neglect, and financial types, as identified by elder abuse studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse working in a nursing home commits elder abuse on a patient under her care, it can fall into various categories of criminal acts. However, the most accurate classification of this criminal act would depend on the specific details of the abuse. If the nurse intentionally caused harm through physical contact, it would be classified as battery. If the abuse was non-physical but health was endangered due to negligence, such as failing to provide essential care or medication, it would be considered negligence. In cases where there is an intentional infliction of harm without contact, it may be classified as assault. Lastly, if the nurse intentionally deceived the patient for personal gain, it would be considered fraud.
According to a study led by Dr. Ron Acierno, there are five major categories of elder abuse, which include physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect or failure to provide adequate care, and financial abuse or exploitation. Therefore, the specific circumstances of the nurse's actions determine which category of crime the act falls under.