During range-of-motion exercises, what should you do if the resident reports pain?

During range-of-motion exercises, what should you do if the resident reports pain?

• A. Continue at the same pace.
• B. Stop and report to the charge nurse.
• C. Increase repetitions to overcome pain.
• D. Ignore the pain and finish.

Answer: (B)

Pain during range-of-motion exercises signals that something may be unsafe or outside the resident’s current limits. The correct approach is to stop the movement immediately and report the experience to the charge nurse so they can assess for injury, adjust the ROM plan, or check for contraindications. ROM should be gentle, within a pain-free range, and not forced; continuing, increasing repetitions, or ignoring the pain can worsen injury or cause harm. Reporting allows proper evaluation and safer care.

Pain during range-of-motion exercises signals that something may be unsafe or outside the resident’s current limits. The correct approach is to stop the movement immediately and report the experience to the charge nurse so they can assess for injury, adjust the ROM plan, or check for contraindications. ROM should be gentle, within a pain-free range, and not forced; continuing, increasing repetitions, or ignoring the pain can worsen injury or cause harm. Reporting allows proper evaluation and safer care.