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/DrFiveLittleMonkeys ED Attending Jun 20 '25

PEM. I tell them they will have awesome dreams and ask them to pick something fun to dream about. I mention that sometimes they will see double when the meds wear off, “Isn’t that silly??” Sometimes I imitate the glazed ketamine smile some kids get. 90% kids love it.

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u/Dr_Banjo_MD Jun 20 '25

This is the way, and when they wake up you have them tell you the story.