r/emergencymedicine • u/rainbowsforeverrr • Jun 20 '25
Advice Ketamine-- how to prepare patients?
Hi folks, ER nurse here. I'm curious how you talk to patients about ketamine admin for procedures or for intractable pain relief. I give it fairly often but I still haven't found the right way to prepare patients (or parents of littles) for the psychotropic effects. I've never used ketamine personally, but it seems to be a very intense experience that ought to be part of the informed consent conversation. What is our ethical obligation?
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u/Enough-Rest-386 Jun 20 '25
Before or after the needle is in? Just say you're going to take a quick nap, and your arm will be back in place.