The nurse is caring for a client taking a muscle relaxant for the treatment of muscle spasms and pain. The nurse should assess for which side effect?

• A. Increased appetite
• B. Cough
• C. Hair loss
• D. Drowsiness and dizziness

Answer: (D)

Muscle relaxants often depress the central nervous system, causing drowsiness and dizziness. This is why you assess for those effects—they reflect sedation that can impair balance and alertness, increasing fall risk and safety concerns. Increased appetite, cough, and hair loss aren’t typical adverse effects of these drugs, so drowsiness and dizziness are the main issues to monitor and report.