When range of motion exercises are being conducted on a patient’s shoulder by nursing assistants, they take hold of the patient’s arm and move it away from the middle of their body while also paying additional careful attention to not place extra stress on the joint. Which of the following forms of motion is this an example of?

This is a form of abduction. It takes place when a limb is moved away from the centerline of the body. Option A, Flexion is called the bending of a limb at the joint. Option C, Adduction, is when the limb is moved towards the centerline of the body (not away from it). Option D, or extension, is when the limb is straightened out at the joint.