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.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

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
Resources