What must a physical therapist do before discharging a patient?

Before discharging a patient, a physical therapist must conduct a final evaluation and document the findings and discharge instructions. This process is crucial because it ensures that the patient's progress and outcomes are properly assessed and recorded. The final evaluation provides a comprehensive view of the patient's condition at discharge, helps identify areas where the patient has improved, and notes any ongoing issues that may require attention in the future.

Documentation at this stage serves multiple purposes: it creates a legal record of the treatment provided, communicates important information to any subsequent caregivers, and helps to ensure continuity of care. Discharge instructions provide patients with guidance on what to do next, including any home exercises, follow-up appointments, or necessary referrals, which can significantly impact their recovery and ongoing health management.

The other choices do not encompass all necessary tasks involved in the discharge process. For example, notifying the patient's family, transferring care to another therapist, or adhering to an arbitrary timeline for discharge do not address the clinical responsibility of adequately assessing the patient's status and ensuring a comprehensive plan is communicated before discharge.