Lab Markers of Inflammation: ESR &
CRP (Exam 2)
positive correct answers Acute phase reactant proteins that are secreted into blood in
**increasing** amounts in response to inflammation
*serve various physiological immune functions
-directly destroy microbes
-activate immune system (increase vascular permeability; recruit phagocytic cells)
-inhibit growth of microbes (bind & reduce compounds they utilize)
-limit infection by trapping pathogens in blood clots (vWF, finbrinogen)
-protect tissues from microbial enzymes
negative correct answers acute phase reactant proteins whose production is *reduced*
in response to inflammation
-provide more amino acid substrate for production of positive-acute-phase proteins
Ex: albumin, transferrin, antithrombin
erythrocyte sedimentation rate correct answers test that indirectly measures the
presence of inflammation in the body by measuring the distance that RBCs have fallen
after one hour (mm/hr)
-very nonspecific; does not reveal cause of inflammation
commonly performed test; simple and inexpensive
Rouleaux correct answers Describe the formation RBCs clump together in during
inflammation:
(due to high proportion of pro-sedimentation factors)
-repelling charges (resist sedimentation)
-pro-sedimentation factors correct answers What is ESR governed by?
(balance between these 2 things)
Westergren technique correct answers method for performing ESR
-anticoagulated whole blood mixed with saline in reservoir tube
-vertical graduated pipette (Westergren tube) inserted into reservoir tube & filled to
designated mark
-tube allowed to sit undisturbed for 1 hour
, Sedimentation distance (mm) measured from starting point to top of RBC sediment
layer
sedimentation rate correct answers = (sedimentation distance, mm) / (sedimentation
time, 1 hr)
<60 mm/hr correct answers What measurement indicates a *mild* elevation in ESR?
60-100 mm/hr correct answers What measurement indicates a *moderate* elevation in
ESR?
>100 mm/hr correct answers What measurement indicates an *extreme* elevation in
ESR?
-females
-older adults
-obese pts correct answers Who will have slightly elevated ESRs?
(3 people)
extreme elevation correct answers an _____ _____ in ESR is strongly associated with
serious underlying disease
-infection
-collagen vascular disease (temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, RA)
-metastatic malignancy of solid tumor
*any condition that elevates fibrinogen
normocytic anemia with decreased Hct correct answers In what type of anemia (based
on MCV) do you see an increased ESR?
-↓Hct so RBCs settle faster than normal
-fewer (-) charged RBCs surrounding them to help keep them suspended
macrocytic anemia correct answers type of anemia with increased ESR
-_____ RBCs settle faster than normal RBCs because they are larger and heavier
-small, misshapen RBCs
-polycythemia
-extreme elevations in WBC count
-low protein abnormalities
-technical testing factors correct answers What are 5 situations in which you would see
a decreased ESR?
small (misshapen) RBCs correct answers reason for ↓ ESR
-settle more slowly than normal RBCs because of smaller size and weight
CRP (Exam 2)
positive correct answers Acute phase reactant proteins that are secreted into blood in
**increasing** amounts in response to inflammation
*serve various physiological immune functions
-directly destroy microbes
-activate immune system (increase vascular permeability; recruit phagocytic cells)
-inhibit growth of microbes (bind & reduce compounds they utilize)
-limit infection by trapping pathogens in blood clots (vWF, finbrinogen)
-protect tissues from microbial enzymes
negative correct answers acute phase reactant proteins whose production is *reduced*
in response to inflammation
-provide more amino acid substrate for production of positive-acute-phase proteins
Ex: albumin, transferrin, antithrombin
erythrocyte sedimentation rate correct answers test that indirectly measures the
presence of inflammation in the body by measuring the distance that RBCs have fallen
after one hour (mm/hr)
-very nonspecific; does not reveal cause of inflammation
commonly performed test; simple and inexpensive
Rouleaux correct answers Describe the formation RBCs clump together in during
inflammation:
(due to high proportion of pro-sedimentation factors)
-repelling charges (resist sedimentation)
-pro-sedimentation factors correct answers What is ESR governed by?
(balance between these 2 things)
Westergren technique correct answers method for performing ESR
-anticoagulated whole blood mixed with saline in reservoir tube
-vertical graduated pipette (Westergren tube) inserted into reservoir tube & filled to
designated mark
-tube allowed to sit undisturbed for 1 hour
, Sedimentation distance (mm) measured from starting point to top of RBC sediment
layer
sedimentation rate correct answers = (sedimentation distance, mm) / (sedimentation
time, 1 hr)
<60 mm/hr correct answers What measurement indicates a *mild* elevation in ESR?
60-100 mm/hr correct answers What measurement indicates a *moderate* elevation in
ESR?
>100 mm/hr correct answers What measurement indicates an *extreme* elevation in
ESR?
-females
-older adults
-obese pts correct answers Who will have slightly elevated ESRs?
(3 people)
extreme elevation correct answers an _____ _____ in ESR is strongly associated with
serious underlying disease
-infection
-collagen vascular disease (temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, RA)
-metastatic malignancy of solid tumor
*any condition that elevates fibrinogen
normocytic anemia with decreased Hct correct answers In what type of anemia (based
on MCV) do you see an increased ESR?
-↓Hct so RBCs settle faster than normal
-fewer (-) charged RBCs surrounding them to help keep them suspended
macrocytic anemia correct answers type of anemia with increased ESR
-_____ RBCs settle faster than normal RBCs because they are larger and heavier
-small, misshapen RBCs
-polycythemia
-extreme elevations in WBC count
-low protein abnormalities
-technical testing factors correct answers What are 5 situations in which you would see
a decreased ESR?
small (misshapen) RBCs correct answers reason for ↓ ESR
-settle more slowly than normal RBCs because of smaller size and weight
