Pharmacology 3rd Edition by Michael Adams , Carol Urban

Exercise 3

Remember the patient "Andrew Eskew" at the beginning of the chapter? Now read the remainder of the case study. Based on the information presented within this chapter, respond to the critical thinking questions that follow.

Andrew is a 27-year-old landscaper who was building a landscaping wall yesterday. His job requires lifting, bending, and twisting. On arising today he stated that his back hurts and he cannot move from side to side. The nurse has performed a physical assessment on Andrew, which revealed tightened muscles in the lumbosacral region and limited mobility. The patient describes his pain as a level 7 on a scale of 1 to 10.
Andrew has been prescribed cyclobenzaprine (Fiexeril) to relieve his back spasms. What is the action of this medication and why has it been prescribed?