Final answer:
The most supportive activity for range of motion in the hand and arm while assisting a client with a bath is moving each of the patient's hand and arm joints through a passive range of motion, as this helps maintain flexibility and function of the joints.
Step-by-step explanation:
The activity that would support the range of motion in the hand and arm would be to move each of the patient's hand and arm joints through a passive range of motion. This could include actions like bending the hand up toward the shoulder, tilting the hand side away from the body, and stabilizing the wrist, which all assist in maintaining the flexibility and function of the joints. Additionally, forming a fist by bending the fingers can help maintain dexterity and strength in the hand. Supination and pronation of the forearm are also important to target the wrist and forearm areas.
While having the client brush their hair and teeth (option b) would encourage active motion of the hand and arm and have practical benefits in terms of self-care, option c specifically targets a passive range of motion techniques that a nurse may use during a bath to help maintain joint movement. It is directly related to healthcare practices and patient assistance. However, it is important to note that if the patient is capable, encouraging them to perform activities of daily living like option b would support an active range of motion and is also beneficial.