Mastering Ketamine

Question 1

Ketamine is which of the following class of medications?

a. H1-R antagonist
b. AV nodal blocker (Class III anti-dysrhythmic)
c. Dissociative anesthetic
d. Narcotic

Answer 1

c. Dissociative anesthetic

Question 2

Indications for ketamine include ______.

Answer 2

• analgesia

- sedation

Question 3

Contraindications for ketamine include _____.

Answer 3

Absolute: Hypersensitivity
Relative: Patients with increased ICP/HTN

Question 4

Explain why Ketamine is an important “leap forward” for the treatment of Excited Delirium Syndrome (ExDS)?

Answer 4

• Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that helps calm the ExDS patient.
• ExDS produces metabolic acidosis 2/2 agitation.
• Ketamine allows the patient to maintain their airway/respiratory effort, which helps maintain their compensatory mechanism for ExDS and hypercapnea.