upon admission to the hospital, a physician diagnosed william with tetanus caused by the bacterium clostridium tetani, and was prescribed an antibacterial and a muscle-relaxant to suppress the muscle spasms. c. tetani produces toxins within the body that invade the central nervous system resulting in the motor neurons continually firing, and therefore, the muscle remains contracted. the muscles that are commonly affected are within the head, neck, back, and upper extremity.