A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has multiple sclerosis and is taking dantrolene to manage muscle spasms. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

Dantrolene acts directly on skeletal muscle to reduce spasticity by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. For a client with multiple sclerosis who is taking this medication, encouraging completion of activities of daily living (ADLs) is appropriate because it promotes functional independence, maintains muscle use, and supports rehabilitation goals while the medication controls painful spasms. Scheduling physical therapy in the afternoon is not specifically indicated by dantrolene use and does not reflect a recognized management principle for this drug. Applying hot packs can worsen spasticity in multiple sclerosis, as heat sensitivity — known as Uhthoff's phenomenon — commonly exacerbates neurological symptoms in MS clients, making this intervention contraindicated. Administering valerian, an herbal supplement, is inappropriate because nurses should not recommend or administer herbal preparations without a provider order, and valerian has not been established as safe or effective for sleep in this clinical context; additionally, combining central nervous system depressants with dantrolene, which already has sedative properties, increases risk of drowsiness and hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the intervention that best supports the client's well-being and aligns with care goals is encouraging participation in ADLs, which maintains independence and functional capacity without introducing additional risk.