This course teaches you how to recognise anaphylaxis quickly and give intramuscular adrenaline without delay, following the Resuscitation Council UK guideline. It covers positioning, repeat doses, refractory anaphylaxis, observation, discharge and follow-up, using worked emergency scenarios.
What you will learn
- Recognise anaphylaxis using the airway, breathing and circulation features described by the Resuscitation Council UK, including presentations without skin changes.
- Give the correct dose of intramuscular adrenaline for adults and children, in the correct site, and know when to repeat it.
- Position the patient safely and give oxygen and fluids appropriately while calling for help.
- Recognise refractory anaphylaxis and the need for expert help and an adrenaline infusion.
- Plan observation, mast cell tryptase sampling, discharge and referral after an anaphylactic reaction.
Course content
- What anaphylaxis is (1 min)
- Recognising anaphylaxis (2 min)
- Immediate treatment: the ABCDE approach (3 min)
- Refractory anaphylaxis and adjunct treatments (2 min)
- After the emergency: observation, tests and discharge (4 min)
- Special situations and practical skills (3 min)
- Case study and preparedness (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- Resuscitation Council UK: Emergency treatment of anaphylaxis: guidelines for healthcare providers (2021)
- NICE guideline NG258: Anaphylaxis: assessment and referral after emergency treatment (2026, replacing CG134)
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024)
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including recognising and responding to deterioration and medicines administration
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024) and Standards of proficiency for paramedics
- GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017)
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.