A patient is being assessed for range-of-joint movement. The nurse asks him to move his arm in toward the center of his body. What is this movement called?

Choice A reason: Extension is straightening a joint, not moving toward the body’s midline. Adduction describes the arm moving inward, so this is incorrect for the described joint movement. Choice B reason: Adduction is the movement of a limb toward the body’s midline, such as bringing the arm inward. This matches the nurse’s description, making it the correct term for the movement. Choice C reason: Flexion is bending a joint, like elbow curling, not moving toward the midline. Adduction is specific to inward motion, so this is incorrect for the arm’s movement. Choice D reason: Abduction is moving away from the midline, opposite to the described action. Adduction is the term for inward movement, so this is incorrect for the joint motion described.