Plain-English explanations of the technical terms and legislation used in this document.
- Adjunctive treatment
- Extra treatment given to support the main treatment, never instead of it - here, medicines given after adrenaline in anaphylaxis.
- Adrenaline (epinephrine)
- The life-saving medicine injected into a muscle to reverse a severe allergic reaction; 1:1000 strength is used for this.
- Adverse drug reaction
- An unwanted or harmful response to a medicine given at a normal dose.
- Airway adjunct
- A simple device, such as an oropharyngeal airway, used to help keep a patient's airway open.
- Anaphylaxis
- A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction needing immediate emergency treatment.
- Angioedema
- Rapid swelling beneath the skin, often of the lips, face, throat or tongue, which can block breathing.
- Anterolateral thigh
- The outer middle part of the thigh, the recommended site for injecting adrenaline into the muscle.
- Automated external defibrillator (AED)
- A portable device that checks the heart's rhythm and, if needed, delivers an electric shock to restart a normal beat.
- Bag-valve-mask (BVM)
- A hand-held device squeezed to push air into the lungs of a patient who is not breathing properly.
- Basic life support (BLS)
- The first-aid skills, including chest compressions and rescue breaths, used to keep someone alive until expert help arrives.
- Biphasic reaction
- A second wave of an allergic reaction that returns hours after the first has settled, which is why patients are observed in hospital.
- Cardiac arrest
- When the heart suddenly stops pumping blood, requiring immediate resuscitation.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Chest compressions and rescue breaths given when a person stops breathing normally or has no pulse.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- The independent regulator of health and social care services in England.
- Controlled drug
- A medicine whose supply, storage and records are tightly restricted by law because of its potential for misuse.
- Corticosteroid
- An anti-inflammatory medicine, such as hydrocortisone, sometimes given to support recovery after a severe allergic reaction.
- Cyanosis
- A bluish colour of the skin or lips caused by low oxygen in the blood.
- Data Protection Act 2018
- The UK law that governs how organisations handle and protect people's personal information.
- Defibrillation
- Delivering a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm during cardiac arrest.
- Glucagon
- A medicine that raises blood sugar quickly, used to treat dangerously low blood sugar.
- Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)
- A spray or tablet that widens blood vessels, used for suspected heart-related chest pain.
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
- The regulations setting out the fundamental standards that registered care providers must meet, enforced by the Care Quality Commission.
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012
- The main UK law controlling how medicines are licensed, supplied and given, including emergency adrenaline.
- Hypersensitivity reaction
- An exaggerated immune response to a substance the body has reacted badly to, ranging from a mild rash to anaphylaxis.
- Hypoglycaemia
- A dangerously low level of sugar in the blood, which can cause confusion, collapse or seizures.
- Hypoxia
- A shortage of oxygen reaching the body's tissues.
- Infection prevention and control (IPC)
- The measures used to stop infection spreading between patients, staff and visitors.
- Intramuscular (IM)
- An injection given into a muscle; in anaphylaxis adrenaline is injected into the outer middle of the thigh.
- Intravenous (IV)
- Given directly into a vein; intravenous adrenaline is for specialist use only, not routine general practice.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- The UK body that regulates medicines and medical devices and runs the Yellow Card scheme.
- Mucosal changes
- Visible changes, such as swelling or redness, to the moist linings of the mouth, eyes or throat.
- Myocardial infarction
- A heart attack, caused by a blocked blood supply to part of the heart muscle.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
- The national body that produces evidence-based guidance on treatments and care for use across health and care services.
- Nebuliser
- A machine that turns liquid medicine into a fine mist to be breathed into the lungs.
- Nominated lead
- The named member of staff given day-to-day responsibility for maintaining and checking the emergency drugs and equipment.
- Oropharyngeal airway
- A curved plastic tube placed in the mouth to help keep an unconscious patient's airway open.
- Oxygen saturation
- A measure of how much oxygen the blood is carrying, usually shown as a percentage.
- Positive-pressure ventilation
- Pushing air or oxygen into the lungs, for example with a bag-valve-mask, when a patient cannot breathe adequately alone.
- Records Management Code of Practice
- National guidance setting out how long health and care records should be kept and how they should be managed.
- Recovery position
- Laying an unconscious but breathing patient on their side to keep the airway clear.
- Registered Manager
- The person registered with the regulator as responsible for the day-to-day running of a service.
- Resuscitation Council UK
- The UK organisation that sets the national guidelines for resuscitation and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.
- Salbutamol
- A reliever medicine, usually inhaled, that opens the airways in asthma or wheezing.
- Seizure
- A sudden burst of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain causing shaking, stiffening or loss of awareness.
- Sharps
- Needles, blades and other items that can cut or puncture the skin.
- Single assessment framework
- The structure the regulator uses to judge a service, built around quality statements and five key questions (safe, effective, caring, responsive, well-led).
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- A written, step-by-step instruction setting out exactly how a particular task is to be carried out.
- Stridor
- A high-pitched sound when breathing in, caused by a narrowed or blocked upper airway.
- UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
- The UK's main data-protection law governing how personal information is collected and used.
- Urticaria
- A raised, itchy rash (hives), often a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Yellow Card scheme
- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency system for reporting suspected side effects of medicines or faulty devices.