Movement of hands towards midline of the body is called

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Explanation

Adduction is defined as the movement of a limb or other body part toward the midline of the body.
A helpful mnemonic to remember this term is thinking of 'adding' the limb to the central axis of the body.
An example is lowering your arm from an outstretched position to your side, which is an adduction movement at the shoulder joint.

Option A: Abduction is the opposite of adduction; it refers to the movement of a body part away from the body's midline.
Option C: Inversion is a specific term for the movement of the sole of the foot inward, toward the median plane.
Option D: Eversion is the opposite of inversion; it describes the movement of the sole of the foot outward, away from the median plane.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomical Terms of Movement as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must use precise anatomical terms for accurate documentation of a patient's range of motion (ROM), physical assessment findings, and response to therapy.
Correct terminology is essential for clear communication with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a shared understanding of the patient's condition and treatment plan.
Assessing for limitations in adduction or abduction can indicate neurological or musculoskeletal problems, such as nerve damage, muscle weakness, or joint pathology.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of anatomical terminology.
First, identify the key phrases in the question stem: 'movement of hands' and 'towards midline'.
Recall the definitions of the four options provided. A helpful mnemonic is 'Adduction is 'adding' the limb to the body.'
Eliminate options that apply to different body parts. Inversion and Eversion are specific movements of the foot, so they can be immediately ruled out for a question about hand movement.
Differentiate between the remaining two options. Abduction is movement away from the midline, while Adduction is movement towards it.
Select Adduction as it directly matches the description 'towards midline'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 307-309

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 4 p. 137-139

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.