Pulmonary rehabilitation is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatment strategies to improve dyspnea, health status, and exercise endurance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, participation in pulmonary rehabilitation among patients experiencing acute exacerbation of COPD remains suboptimal. Current research primarily focuses on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of pulmonary rehabilitation among COPD patients during hospitalization or at home, with limited studies investigating the transitional period following discharge. This study aimed to investigate the KAP of pulmonary rehabilitation during the discharge transition period and identify the associated influencing factors, providing significant reference and guidance for improving the rehabilitation outcomes in COPD patients. This cross-sectional study employed a convenience sampling method to recruit patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) treated at Jiangsu Subei People's Hospital between June 2023 and May 2024. Data collection instruments included a general data questionnaire, a COPD-specific pulmonary rehabilitation KAP questionnaire, and the Mini Nutrition Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing KAP of pulmonary rehabilitation in AECOPD patients during the discharge transition period. A total of 130 questionnaires were distributed, with 128 valid responses collected, yielding an effective response rate of 98.46%. The overall KAP score of AECOPD patients during the discharge transition period was 57.52 ± 8.92. Among the three dimensions, mean scores from the highest to the lowest were attitude (2.54 ± 0.29), practice (2.39 ± 0.36), and knowledge (2.15 ± 0.36). Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in KAP scores based on age, education level, monthly household income per capita, smoking history, degree of dyspnea, and nutritional status of AECOPD patients during the transitional discharge period ( < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression identified these same factors as significant influencers of KAP levels ( < 0.05). The KAP of pulmonary rehabilitation among AECOPD patients during the discharge transition period is at a moderate level and is significantly influenced by age, educational level, monthly household income per capita, smoking history, degree of dyspnea, and nutritional status. Healthcare professionals should design targeted interventions based on these factors to help patients recognize the importance and necessity of pulmonary rehabilitation, establish correct attitudes about it, and improve compliance with it, thereby improving long-term outcomes.