In this section
Ketamine use for procedural sedation Acute pain management
Note - at RCH these guidelines are for use in the Emergency Dept. For use in other areas see also Procedural Management Guideline
Nitrous oxide has been used for many years in obstetric care during labour. It has both analgesia and amnestic properties. It has a quick onset of action and fast offset which makes it ideal for use in an emergency department. It has no sedative properties and thus must be used on patients who are co-operative (ie >4yrs of age).
It comes as a pre-mixed 50:50 combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen on a demand triggered system, or as a continuous flow via a mixer (maximum concentration is 70% NO:30% O2).