For a patient on a barbiturate, the nurse should check lab results to ensure the patient __________?

• A. Is not pregnant
• B. Has normal kidney function
• C. Has normal liver enzymes
• D. Has normal blood glucose

Answer: (C)

Barbiturates are processed mainly by the liver, so checking liver function tests helps ensure the drug can be metabolized properly and reduces the risk of accumulation or hepatotoxic effects. Normal liver enzymes indicate the liver is functioning well enough to handle the medication and its metabolism. If enzymes were elevated, it could signal impaired metabolism or liver injury, requiring dose adjustments or alternate therapy. While pregnancy status, kidney function, and blood glucose can be important in other contexts, the key concern with barbiturates is hepatic metabolism reflected by normal liver enzymes.