How should you perform a passive range of motion exercise for the shoulder?

• A. Move quickly through ROM to save time
• B. Grasp the resident's shoulder and elbow only
• C. Support the elbow and wrist, move through ROM slowly, 5-10 repetitions, stop if pain occurs
• D. Do not stop if pain occurs

Answer: (C)

Passive range of motion is about moving a joint for a resident who cannot do it themselves, to keep the joint flexible and prevent stiffness. For the shoulder, you guide the arm gently through its range without the resident actively moving. The best way to do this is to support the elbow and wrist so you control the motion along the arm’s length, then move slowly through the motion and repeat about five to ten times. Stop if the resident feels pain or if anything feels uncomfortable, and reassess or stop to avoid causing harm.

Supporting the elbow and wrist is important because it keeps the limb aligned and reduces stress on the shoulder joint and soft tissues. Moving slowly helps prevent sudden jerks that could injure the joint or soft tissues. The 5-10 repetition guideline gives enough movement to maintain mobility without overdoing it. If pain arises, continuing would risk injury, so stopping is the right course.

The other approaches fall short because they either lack proper support and control, move too quickly, or ignore pain signals, all of which can cause harm or fail to protect the joint.