Baclofen (Lioresal) is prescribed for the client with multiple sclerosis. The primary therapeutic effect of this medication is which of the following?

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that specifically targets and reduces muscle spasms. In patients with multiple sclerosis, where muscle spasticity is a common symptom, baclofen acts on the central nervous system to inhibit the reflexes at the spinal level, which leads to a reduction in muscle spasms. The primary therapeutic effect of baclofen is to relax the muscles, thereby alleviating the discomfort and abnormal stiffness due to spasms. This not only improves the patient's overall comfort but also enhances function and mobility, making daily activities easier to perform.

The choice of decreased muscle spasms directly reflects the medication's intended use and mechanism of action. The other options, such as increased muscle tone, increased range of motion, and decreased local pain and tenderness, do not accurately represent the primary therapeutic effect of baclofen, as the drug does not primarily aim to increase muscle tone or guarantee increased mobility but instead focuses on managing spasticity.