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/FourScores1 ED Attending Jun 20 '25

You have an ethical obligation to play some music and be a good trip guide.

Also don’t push it fast. Every GD time

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u/rainbowsforeverrr Jun 20 '25

Yes exactly! This is where we get to use our woo woo healer powers... but mine are rusty.