A patient can abduct and flex their shoulder without assistance. What is this action termed?

The action of a patient being able to abduct and flex their shoulder without assistance is termed as "Active Range of Motion" (AROM).

Here's the step-by-step explanation:

1. "Abduction" is a movement that pulls a structure or part away from the midline of the body. In the case of the shoulder, it's the action of lifting your arm out to the side.

2. "Flexion" is a bending movement that decreases the angle between a segment and its proximal segment. For the shoulder, it's the action of lifting your arm up in front of you.

3. When these movements (abduction and flexion of the shoulder) are performed without assistance, it means the patient is doing them on their own, using their own muscle strength.

4. In physical therapy and exercise, this is referred to as "Active Range of Motion" (AROM). It's a term used to describe the movement conducted by an individual without any assistance to maintain or increase the amount of motion at a specific joint.