I have to agree that hitting the examining physician is never a good idea! I was hit once in the ER when I was a resident. I was asked to see a patient about possible involuntary commitment due to dangerousness. His girlfriend had filed a petition and I needed to evaluate him. He was obviously intoxicated, and I was ready to let him sleep in the ER and re-evaluate him in the morning when he would be sober. Then he tried to choke me! So we committed him. Of course, I did not have him arrested or charged - he was clearly not someone who was in control of his actions and his decision making skills were obviously impaired...