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Questions and Answers
What does a high Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) indicate?
What does a high Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) indicate?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom that might prompt a doctor to order a sed rate test?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom that might prompt a doctor to order a sed rate test?
Which age group has a normal maximum ESR value of ≤30 mm/hr?
Which age group has a normal maximum ESR value of ≤30 mm/hr?
What is the procedure for conducting an ESR test?
What is the procedure for conducting an ESR test?
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Which condition is NOT associated with a high ESR result?
Which condition is NOT associated with a high ESR result?
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What is a common reaction of red blood cells in the presence of inflammation?
What is a common reaction of red blood cells in the presence of inflammation?
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Which condition occurs due to an autoimmune response that might increase ESR?
Which condition occurs due to an autoimmune response that might increase ESR?
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Which of the following is a method for measuring the ESR?
Which of the following is a method for measuring the ESR?
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What lifestyle change could potentially lower ESR levels?
What lifestyle change could potentially lower ESR levels?
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Which one of these is considered a normal ESR value for children?
Which one of these is considered a normal ESR value for children?
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Study Notes
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- ESR is a blood test that shows inflammation in the body.
- Inflammation is the immune system's response to injury, infection, and various conditions like immune system disorders, certain cancers, and blood disorders.
- The test involves placing a blood sample in a tall, thin tube and measuring the rate at which red blood cells settle.
- Normally, red blood cells settle slowly.
- Inflammation causes red blood cells to clump together, making them settle faster.
- A faster ESR rate indicates higher levels of inflammation.
Interpretation of ESR Results
- High ESR values can signal inflammatory conditions.
- Possible causes include:
- Arthritis
- Systemic vasculitis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney disease
- Infections
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Heart disease
- Certain cancers
- Polycythemia (high RBC count)
- Sickle cell disease
- Leukocytosis (high white blood cell count)
- Heart failure
- Kidney or liver problems
Normal ESR Values
- Varies based on age and sex:
- Males under 50: ≤ 15 mm/hr
- Females under 50: ≤ 20 mm/hr
- Males over 50: ≤ 20 mm/hr
- Females over 50: ≤ 30 mm/hr
- Children: ≤ 10 mm/hr
Symptoms Suggesting an ESR Test
- Headaches
- Stiff, swollen, or painful joints
- Pain in shoulders, neck, or pelvis (joint stiffness)
- Appetite loss
- Weight loss without trying
- Unexplained fever
- Anemia
Procedure for ESR Test (Westergren method)
- A healthcare professional draws blood from a vein.
- The skin is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet is applied to the upper arm to swell the veins.
- A needle is inserted into a vein, and blood is withdrawn.
- 1.6mL of blood is added to a tube containing 0.4mL of sodium citrate.
- Anticoagulated blood is drawn into a Westergren pipette to the zero mm mark.
- The tube is placed vertically for 1 hour at room temperature.
- The distance red blood cells fall in one hour is the ESR value.
Possible Errors in ESR Testing
- Blood sample age (should be less than 2 hours at room temperature or 6 hours refrigerated).
- Incorrect temperature (between 20-25°C).
- Incorrect blood-to-diluting agent ratio.
- Bubbles in the Westergren tube.
- Vibration (from a nearby centrifuge).
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Description
This quiz covers the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), a crucial blood test used to detect inflammation in the body. It explains the mechanism of the test, the significance of ESR values, and various medical conditions associated with high ESR levels. Test your knowledge on this important diagnostic tool.
