Mr. Johnson is bedridden after a stroke and cannot move his arms and legs independently. Nurse Thompson performs exercises to move his joints through their full range of motion without his effort. Which type of exercise is Nurse Thompson performing?

Passive range-of-motion exercise is performed by a caregiver or nurse who moves the patient's joints through their full range of motion without any active participation or effort from the patient. This type of exercise is essential for patients who are immobilized or have lost voluntary motor control, as seen with Mr. Johnson following his stroke. PROM helps prevent joint contractures, maintains joint flexibility, promotes circulation, and prevents complications of immobility such as pressure injuries and deep vein thrombosis. Active isotonic exercises, such as walking or lifting weights, require the patient to contract muscles and move through a range of motion under their own power, which Mr. Johnson cannot perform due to his paralysis. Stretching exercises done independently by the patient also require voluntary movement and are therefore not applicable in this scenario. Aerobic exercises such as swimming or jogging require significant cardiovascular and musculoskeletal effort and are entirely inappropriate for a bedridden patient with post-stroke paralysis. Recognizing the distinction between passive, active-assistive, and active exercises is fundamental to planning safe rehabilitation nursing care for patients with mobility impairments.