Which of the following actions defines emotional abuse?

The correct answer highlights the nature of emotional abuse, which involves behaviors that can cause psychological harm or emotional distress to an individual. Threatening someone can instill fear, undermine their self-esteem, and psychologically control or intimidate them. Such actions can be particularly damaging as they manipulate the victim's emotions and sense of security.

In contrast, a slap to the hand is a physical action and would be categorized as physical abuse rather than emotional abuse. Ignoring and isolating a person, while harmful, is more indicative of neglect and can manifest as emotional abuse in some contexts, but it does not specifically convey the same direct threatening behavior. Leaving a patient soiled for hours constitutes neglect, which is a different form of abuse focused on the failure to provide necessary care rather than targeting the emotional wellbeing of the individual.