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Emergency Medicine & First Aid vocabulary · Medical Emergencies

Auto-injector

Meaning in emergency medicine & first aid, with examples

/ˈɔːtoʊ ɪnˌdʒektər/nounCommon term

In emergency medicine & first aid, auto-injector means: A pen-shaped device with a hidden needle that gives a fixed dose of a medicine when pressed against the thigh, usually adrenaline for anaphylaxis.

In Turkish: otomatik enjektör, adrenalin kalemi, oto-enjektör

How it is used

People with severe allergies often carry one or two, and schools may keep spares. Brand names such as EpiPen are often used as general words. Crews ask whether an auto-injector has been used and when, and they record it.

Example sentences

  1. Her mum used the auto-injector five minutes before we arrived.

  2. He always carries two adrenaline auto-injectors.

Common collocations

  • adrenaline auto-injector
  • use an auto-injector
  • carry an auto-injector
  • spare auto-injector
  • anaphylaxisA severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that develops quickly and can affect breathing and circulation, triggered for example by foods, insect stings or medicines.
  • shockA life-threatening condition in which not enough blood and oxygen reach the body's organs, for example after heavy bleeding, a severe infection or a serious allergic reaction.
  • asthma attackA sudden worsening of asthma in which the airways tighten and swell, causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

More terms: Medical Emergencies

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.