For a burn patient's discharge, what should the nurse ensure is prioritized in their follow-up care?

The priority in follow-up care for a burn patient should focus on ensuring that the patient can perform daily activities safely. This is crucial for their overall recovery and quality of life. Burn injuries can significantly impact a person's physical abilities, mobility, and daily functioning. Therefore, assessing and teaching the patient how to safely manage their daily tasks, including personal hygiene, dressing, and mobility, helps foster independence and prevent further complications.

In addition, guiding the patient on modifications they might need in their home environment to accommodate any limitations can empower them and enhance their confidence in managing life post-discharge. While the other options are important aspects of recovery—support groups can provide emotional support, pain management is critical for comfort, and physical therapy can aid in rehabilitation—the immediate focus should be on facilitating the patient’s ability to navigate their daily life safely and confidently after the trauma of a burn injury.