Test Overview
Test Methodology

Gas Chromatography (GC)

Test Usage

Monitor drug levels during coma therapy

Reference Range *

20-30 mcg/mL in coma therapy (upper limit of 30-40 mcg/mL for therapeutic induction of coma); Toxic Level: >60 mcg/mL.

Test Limitations

Only pentobarbital will be detected and quantitated.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily
Analytic Time

4 hours

Soft Order Code
PENTO
MiChart Code
Pentobarbital Level
Synonyms
  • Nembutal
  • Pentobarb
  • Pentobarbital
  • Pentobarbital Level, Blood
  • PENTO
  • PENTOBARBITAL LEVEL
Laboratory
Chemical Pathology
Section
Drug Analysis
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect blood in a red top or green tob tube; do not use SST tube. Centrifuge, aliquot serum into a plastic vial, and refrigerate.

Rejection Criteria
SST or PST tube not acceptable.
Yellow Top Tube
Red Top Tube
Normal Volume
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL serum
Billing
CPT Code
80345
Fee Code
33274
LOINC
3924-8
NY State Approved
No