Definition and indications for the use of Entonox Entonox is an inhaled analgesic gas comprising of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen that is indicated in the management of moderate…

Definition of assisted ventilation Assisted ventilation is where the practitioner offers ventilatory support to a patient whose alveolar ventilation is inadequate to maintain normal partial pressures of oxygen and carbon…

Definitions A widely used definition of pain is: ‘… an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage’.11 This…

Definitions A wound is defined as a break in an organ or tissue caused by an external agent; this can be divided into seven broad categories2 that will be discussed…

Definitions Infection control is the application of standard principles to prevent health-care associated infections (HCAI) and is essential in the reduction of HCAI. Asepsis is described as the state of…

Definitions Needle thoracocentesis involves placing a wide-bore cannula into the mid-clavicular line of the second intercostal space, just above the third rib, in order to decompress a tension pneumothorax.1 Normally,…

Definitions The risks associated with manual handling have been recognised by the Ambulance Service Association and the Health and Safety Executive who state: ‘Any work activity that involves lifting, pushing,…

Relevant gross anatomy Please also refer to an appropriate anatomy textbook (see reference 3). The spinal cord is approximately 42–45 cm in length and extends from the foramen magnum to…

Definitions Neurological observations are those investigations and examination that relate to the assessment of the nervous system. These commonly focus upon six key areas: Level of consciousness Pupillary activity Motor…

Definition of defibrillation Defibrillation is the only effective therapy for cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation and can be defined as an attempt to depolarise a critical mass of the…