- Definition
An epinephrine autoinjector is a special pen that quickly gives a shot of medicine (epinephrine, also called adrenaline) to someone having a very serious allergic reaction.
If a child allergic to peanuts has trouble breathing, an adult can use the autoinjector on their outer thigh to help them breathe.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An epinephrine auto-injector is emergency medicine used according to a person's allergy plan for a suspected severe allergic reaction.
Ask your child: If someone may be having a serious allergic reaction, which trusted adult should you get right away?
Common mix-up: This is not a toy or a medicine for children to manage on their own. Follow the person's emergency plan, get trained adult help immediately, and call 9-1-1 as directed.
Examples
- A parent using one when their child accidentally eats something they are allergic to at a restaurant.
- A camp counsellor using an autoinjector on a camper who is having a bad reaction to a bug bite.
epinephrine autoinjector is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
