Which description accurately reflects shoulder ROM from the care guidelines?

• A. Move shoulder through ROM by raising and lowering the arm toward the head (flexion/extension).
• B. Move shoulder by bending the trunk.
• C. Move only the hand without moving the shoulder.
• D. Do not move the shoulder.

Answer: (A)

Shoulder range of motion is tested by moving the joint through its accessible movements. Describing ROM as moving the shoulder by raising and lowering the arm toward the head captures the flexion and extension of the shoulder joint. This keeps the movement centered in the shoulder itself rather than involving trunk bending or moving only the hand, which would not assess the shoulder joint’s mobility. The other actions either move a different part (bending the trunk), isolate a non-shoulder movement (just the hand), or involve no movement at all, none of which describe shoulder ROM. Hence, raising and lowering the arm to test flexion/extension best reflects how care guidelines describe shoulder ROM.