SLMC ERPM key terms

A severe, rapidly developing systemic hypersensitivity reaction that compromises the airway, breathing, or circulation. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate intramuscular adrenaline, high-flow oxygen, intravenous fluids, and urgent escalation of care.

A catecholamine drug that stimulates alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, raising blood pressure, dilating airways, and stabilising mast cells. First-line treatment for anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest; given intramuscularly in anaphylaxis and intravenously in resuscitation.

The sequence of manoeuvres and devices used to keep the upper airway open and oxygenate the patient, from head tilt and jaw thrust through supraglottic devices to endotracheal intubation. Assessed first in any deteriorating patient.

A structured primary survey prioritising Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. Each element is assessed and treated before moving on, so immediately life-threatening problems are corrected in order of physiological priority.

A 3-to-15 score summing eye, verbal, and motor responses to define level of consciousness. Scores of 8 or below generally indicate a need to secure the airway; serial scores track neurological deterioration.

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Recognised by signs such as altered mentation, raised respiratory rate, low blood pressure, and elevated lactate, and treated with prompt antibiotics and fluid resuscitation.

A state of inadequate tissue perfusion causing cellular hypoxia, classified as hypovolaemic, cardiogenic, distributive, or obstructive. Presents with hypotension, tachycardia, cool or warm peripheries, and altered consciousness; treatment targets the underlying cause.

Rapid administration of intravenous crystalloid or blood products to restore circulating volume in hypovolaemia, sepsis, or burns. Requires reassessment of response and awareness of overload risk, especially in cardiac or renal impairment.

Chest compressions and rescue breaths delivered to a patient in cardiac arrest to maintain circulation and oxygenation. High-quality compressions at the correct rate and depth, minimal interruptions, and early defibrillation determine survival.

A spectrum of myocardial ischaemia including unstable angina and myocardial infarction with or without ST elevation. Typically presents with central chest pain, sweating, and nausea; managed with aspirin, anticoagulation, and reperfusion where indicated.

A recording of the heart's electrical activity used to detect arrhythmias, ischaemia, conduction blocks, and chamber enlargement. Interpretation follows a systematic sequence of rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, and ST-T changes.

An irregularly irregular supraventricular rhythm with absent P waves and variable ventricular rate. It raises stroke risk through atrial thrombus and is managed with rate or rhythm control plus anticoagulation based on assessed risk.

A clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot deliver sufficient output for metabolic demands or does so at raised filling pressures. Presents with breathlessness, fatigue, oedema, and raised natriuretic peptides; treated with diuretics and disease-modifying therapy.

Accumulation of fluid in the lung interstitium and alveoli, most often from left ventricular failure. Causes severe breathlessness, orthopnoea, crackles, and pink frothy sputum; treated with oxygen, diuretics, and vasodilators.

Persistent airflow obstruction from airway and parenchymal damage, usually related to tobacco smoke. Characterised by breathlessness, chronic cough, and exacerbations; managed with bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids in selected patients, and smoking cessation.

A chronic inflammatory airway disease with variable, reversible airflow obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Presents with wheeze, cough, and episodic breathlessness; managed with inhaled corticosteroids and reliever bronchodilators.

Inability of the respiratory system to maintain adequate oxygenation or carbon dioxide clearance. Type 1 shows low oxygen with normal or low carbon dioxide; type 2 adds carbon dioxide retention, often requiring ventilatory support.

Sudden focal neurological deficit from vascular causes, either ischaemic infarction or haemorrhage. Time-critical assessment includes glucose, imaging, and thrombolysis or thrombectomy eligibility; atrial fibrillation is a major preventable risk factor.

A group of metabolic disorders characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia due to insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, or both. Diagnosis uses fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance testing, or HbA1c; management targets glycaemic control and complication screening.

A metabolic emergency of insulin deficiency causing hyperglycaemia, ketonaemia, and metabolic acidosis. Presents with vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, and Kussmaul breathing; treated with fluids, insulin infusion, and careful potassium replacement.

An abnormally low blood glucose level, typically below 4 mmol/L, causing sweating, tremor, confusion, and seizures. Treated with fast-acting oral carbohydrate if conscious or intravenous glucose or intramuscular glucagon if not.

An abrupt decline in kidney function reflected by rising creatinine or falling urine output. Causes are prerenal, renal, or postrenal; management focuses on restoring perfusion, stopping nephrotoxins, and relieving obstruction.

Persistently elevated arterial blood pressure, diagnosed by repeated clinic or ambulatory measurement. A major modifiable risk factor for stroke, ischaemic heart disease, and kidney disease; treated with lifestyle change and antihypertensive drugs.

A cardiac muscle protein released into blood when myocardial cells are damaged. High-sensitivity assays with serial sampling help diagnose myocardial infarction, though raised values also occur in other conditions.

A patient's voluntary agreement to examination or treatment after receiving adequate information about benefits, risks, and alternatives. Requires capacity; treatment without valid consent may constitute battery or negligence.

The ability to understand, retain, weigh, and communicate a decision about a specific matter at a specific time. Assessed functionally; lacking capacity triggers best-interest decision-making rather than automatic assumption of incompetence.

The professional duty to protect patient information from unauthorised disclosure. It may be overridden only with consent, by legal requirement, or in the public interest, and breaches must be justified and documented.

Practices that reduce medication error, including correct patient identification, dose calculation, allergy checking, legible documentation, and review of interactions. Particularly important for high-risk drugs such as anticoagulants, insulin, and opioids.

The concurrent use of multiple medicines, often five or more, which raises the risk of interactions and adverse effects. Regular medication review and deprescribing where appropriate are core management steps.

A harmful or unintended response to a medicine given at normal doses, classified as predictable (type A) or idiosyncratic (type B). Suspected serious reactions should be documented and reported to the national pharmacovigilance scheme.

Agreement obtained after a discussion covering the nature of the procedure, material risks, expected benefits, and reasonable alternatives including doing nothing. The standard is what a reasonable patient would want to know.

A working list of possible conditions that could explain a patient's presentation, ordered by likelihood and seriousness. It guides targeted history, examination, and investigation before the leading diagnosis is confirmed.

The cognitive process of integrating history, examination, and test findings to form and test diagnostic hypotheses. It includes pattern recognition, probabilistic thinking, and explicit checks against cognitive bias.

A symptom or sign indicating possible serious underlying disease that warrants urgent investigation or referral, such as weight loss, night pain, or new neurological deficit. Their presence overrides routine management pathways.

Measured physiological parameters including respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and consciousness level. Trends and early warning scores identify deterioration before overt clinical collapse.

The integration of best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences. It requires appraising study design, validity, and applicability rather than relying on tradition or authority alone.

An act of omission or commission in planning or execution that contributes to or could contribute to unintended patient harm. Reporting and system analysis, rather than individual blame, drive safer practice.

The process of transferring responsibility for part of a patient's care to another clinician or service with appropriate expertise. Effective referral communicates the clinical question, relevant findings, and urgency clearly.