Test Directory

Clear All
Test Code
PENTO
Test Name
Pentobarbital, Quantitative, Serum
CPT Codes
AMA 80345, CMS G0480
Expected Turnaround Time
Same day
Clinical Utility

 Useful for monitoring supportive therapy for intracranial pressure.

Testing includes identification and quantitation of:

  • Pentobarbital
Specimen and Container Info

Preferred Specimen Type: Serum 

Preferred Collection Container: Red Top, Plain 

Desired Specimen Volume: 1 mL  

 
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated.
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

 7 days

Refrigerated

7 days 
Causes for Rejection

Specimens collected in separator tubes will be rejected. 
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reference Intervals

Analyte

Therapeutic Range (µg/mL)

Pentobarbital

1.0-5.0

For treatment of intracranial pressure with supportive therapy:


 Adult

 25-35

 Child

 20-30
Limitations

Analyte

Reporting Limit (µg/mL)

Pentobarbital

0.5
Performing Location
Roble Road Core Laboratory
Alternate Names
Nembutal
Testing Schedule
Routine daily, STAT testing available
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
© 2026 HNL Lab Medicine. All rights reserved.