Which description matches Passive ROM?

Which description matches Passive ROM?

• A. Active ROM
• B. ROM completed by the patient with no examiner involvement
• C. ROM performed by the patient with the examiner providing resistance
• D. Movements performed by the examiner with the patient relaxed

Answer: (D)

Passive ROM means the examiner moves the joint through its full range while the patient remains completely relaxed and uses no muscle effort. This setup lets you evaluate how far the joint can move and the tissue end feel without any active muscle contraction. That description—movements performed by the examiner with the patient relaxed—fits passive ROM exactly. In contrast, active ROM is when the patient moves the limb themselves, and resisted ROM involves the patient moving against external resistance or the examiner providing resistance, which are not passive.

Passive ROM means the examiner moves the joint through its full range while the patient remains completely relaxed and uses no muscle effort. This setup lets you evaluate how far the joint can move and the tissue end feel without any active muscle contraction. That description—movements performed by the examiner with the patient relaxed—fits passive ROM exactly. In contrast, active ROM is when the patient moves the limb themselves, and resisted ROM involves the patient moving against external resistance or the examiner providing resistance, which are not passive.