What is the correct action to take to extend the shoulder?

The correct action to extend the shoulder involves gently lifting the arm above the head. This motion specifically targets the shoulder joint and is essential for achieving shoulder extension, which is the movement that brings the arm backward relative to the body.

In contrast, bringing the resident's arm back down to the side of their body does not extend the shoulder; it is actually a return to a neutral position after the arm has been elevated. The rotational movement or swinging the arm back and forth also do not represent shoulder extension, as they involve different ranges of motion and directions. Thus, gently lifting the arm above the head is the appropriate action to effectively achieve shoulder extension.