Shortly after providing a new sleeping pill to a patient on the medical unit, the nurse answers the patient's call light. Which of the following findings would indicate to the nurse that the patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to the medication?

A. Determining which medication needs a prescription for the patient to obtain. The DEA does not determine which medications require prescriptions; this is typically under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

B. Ensuring the patient taking a medication has an option for generic medications. This role is more aligned with the FDA, which oversees the approval of generic medications. The DEA does not handle generic medication options.

C. Providing specific requirements for the manufacture of generic medications. This is also a role of the FDA, not the DEA. The DEA focuses on controlled substances, not the specifics of generic drug manufacturing.

D. Indicating which medications are controlled substances and enforcing the laws. This accurately describes the role of the DEA. The DEA classifies controlled substances into schedules and enforces the laws related to the handling, prescribing, and dispensing of these drugs.

A. The patient complains of shortness of breath: Shortness of breath is a hallmark symptom of an anaphylactic reaction. It indicates that the patient may be experiencing airway constriction, which is a medical emergency.

B. The patient reports feeling hot, and her face appears flushed: Flushing and a feeling of warmth can be early signs of an allergic reaction, but they are not specific to anaphylaxis. Other more severe symptoms would need to be present to diagnose anaphylaxis.

C. The patient states that she feels nauseated and has a headache: Nausea and headache are not typically associated with anaphylaxis. They may be side effects of the medication but are not indicative of an allergic reaction severe enough to cause anaphylaxis.

D. The patient complains of continued wakefulness and agitation: Continued wakefulness and agitation could be side effects of the sleeping pill but are not symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction. These symptoms do not require immediate emergency intervention like anaphylaxis would.