A patient with burn wounds is undergoing ROM therapy but resists due to pain. What is the nurse's best response?

A. Explain ROM therapy: Educating the patient about the purpose and benefits of range-of-motion (ROM) therapy is important for cooperation and understanding. However, patient education alone does not address the immediate barrier of pain, which can prevent participation and limit the effectiveness of therapy. B. Delay therapy until pain improves: Postponing therapy may reduce immediate discomfort but can lead to joint stiffness, contractures, and decreased functional outcomes. Burn rehabilitation requires timely, consistent ROM exercises to maintain mobility, so delaying therapy is not ideal. C. Manage pain prior to therapy: Administering analgesics before ROM exercises allows the patient to participate more comfortably and effectively. Preemptive pain control reduces muscle guarding, facilitates full joint movement, and improves compliance, directly supporting the goal of preserving function and preventing contractures. D. Stop therapy permanently: Discontinuing ROM therapy permanently would result in progressive joint contractures, decreased mobility, and long-term functional deficits. Pain management strategies should be used to enable continued participation rather than abandoning therapy altogether.