Panic values for bicarbonate (HCO3) are at which levels?

• A. 10 mmol/L and 40 mmol/L
• B. 20 and 30
• C. 5 and 15
• D. 12 and 28

Answer: (A)

Panic values indicate urgent reporting for extreme results. For bicarbonate, these extremes correspond to severe metabolic disturbances: a very low bicarbonate level around 10 mmol/L or below signals severe metabolic acidosis, while a very high level around 40 mmol/L or above signals severe metabolic alkalosis. Because those are the thresholds that trigger urgent clinical action, the option listing those two values is the best choice. Normal bicarbonate is about 22–28 mmol/L, so values far outside this range warrant immediate attention. The other options show values that are not at these urgent borderlines.