Final answer:
Patients should not drive or operate machinery, consume alcohol or CNS depressants, or engage in strenuous exercise while taking an SMR due to increased risks of drowsiness, dizziness, and further injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
When taking a skeletal muscle relaxant (SMR), health professionals must educate their patients on what activities to avoid while on this medication. Patients should not engage in activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, as SMRs can cause drowsiness and impair cognitive functions. Additionally, consuming alcohol or other CNS depressants is highly discouraged as they can exacerbate the sedative effects of SMRs, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and risk of accidents or injuries. Lastly, it is important that patients do not perform any strenuous exercise or engage in activities that could strain muscles, as the effect of the SMR can mask pain, leading to the potential for further injury.