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/jubbyboi ED Attending Jun 20 '25

Sedated a 7 year old for fracture reduction 2 days ago and the nurse said “you’re gonna love this! A lot of people pay money to do this and you get it for free”… so I guess that’s an option.

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u/Purple_Opposite5464 Flight Nurse Jun 21 '25

My line is “hey you ever tried ketamine? No? Cool well today is the day”

Young people absolutely love that line. Get em laughing so they can enjoy their ketamine.