True or False: Ketamine can be classified as both an analgesic and an amnestic.

Ketamine is indeed classified as both an analgesic and an amnestic. It acts as an analgesic primarily by inhibiting the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the central nervous system, providing effective pain relief. It is often used in various settings, including procedural sedation and for pain management, due to its rapid-acting properties.

As an amnestic, ketamine induces a dissociative state that can lead to temporary memory loss surrounding events that occur while under its influence. This feature makes it particularly useful in medical contexts where patient comfort and lack of recall for painful or invasive procedures are important.

The unique dual properties of ketamine allow it to serve as both an effective pain management option and a means to create amnesia for the experience, which is why the statement is true.