Panic values of hypoglycemia are defined as which plasma glucose levels?

• A. <40 mg/dL; >500 mg/dL
• B. <50 mg/dL; >450 mg/dL
• C. <60 mg/dL; >550 mg/dL
• D. <20 mg/dL; >400 mg/dL

Answer: (A)

Panic values are critical results that require immediate action because they signal life-threatening conditions. For plasma glucose, a very low level is dangerous because brain function depends on glucose; below 40 mg/dL can quickly lead to confusion, seizures, or coma, demanding urgent treatment. There’s also danger at very high levels, typically above 500 mg/dL, which can indicate severe hyperglycemia with risks like dehydration, ketoacidosis, or hyperosmolar states, also needing prompt intervention. Therefore, the definition of panic values for glucose includes both extremes: less than 40 mg/dL or greater than 500 mg/dL. In mmol/L, that’s roughly below 2.2 mmol/L and above 27.8 mmol/L.