The nurse is checking the range of motion in a patient's knee and knows that the knee is capable of which movement(s)?

Choice A rationale

The knee joint, a modified hinge joint, primarily facilitates movement within the sagittal plane. Flexion involves decreasing the angle between the femur and tibia, bending the knee, while extension involves increasing this angle, straightening the knee. These movements are achieved through the coordinated action of muscles like the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings, acting on the condyles of the femur and tibia.

Choice B rationale

Inversion and eversion are movements specific to the ankle and foot. Inversion involves turning the sole of the foot inward, towards the midline of the body, while eversion involves turning the sole of the foot outward, away from the midline. These movements are mediated by the subtalar and transverse tarsal joints, not the knee.

Choice C rationale

Supination and pronation are rotatory movements primarily associated with the forearm and hand. Supination involves rotating the forearm so the palm faces anteriorly or superiorly, while pronation involves rotating it so the palm faces posteriorly or inferiorly. These actions are controlled by muscles acting on the radius and ulna, not the knee joint.

Choice D rationale

Circumduction is a complex movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, commonly seen in ball-and-socket joints like the shoulder or hip. Rotation, where a bone pivots around its own longitudinal axis, is also more prominent in these joints. While the knee has minimal rotational capability when flexed, it's not a primary movement.