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Ketamine analgesia in trapped trauma — DipIMC MCQ

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HardPharmacologyKetamine analgesia in trapped traumaDipIMC

A 34-year-old trapped driver has bilateral femoral fractures. He is in severe pain, systolic blood pressure 96 mmHg, pulse 128/min, GCS 15 and extrication will take 25 minutes; inhaled analgesia is inadequate. What is the most appropriate drug/dose?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Ketamine analgesia titrated IV according to local protocol

Ketamine is useful for severe traumatic pain, especially when hypotension makes large opioid boluses undesirable. Morphine can be appropriate but large single boluses risk hypotension and respiratory depression. Midazolam is sedative, not analgesic, and may worsen airway risk.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; ATACC