ESR Flashcards
HOW THE ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE TEST WORKS?
- phlebotomist draws blood into tube
- test measures how fast red blood cells fall to bottom of tube in an hour
- inflammation causes red blood cells to stick together and sink faster
Non-specific measurement to detect and monitor an inflammatory response to tissue injury in which there is a change in the plasma concentration of acute phase proteins
ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE
ESR is a non specific test which depends on the changes of what?
plasma concentration of acute phase reactants
how long do we need to stand the blood vertically?
1 hour
ESR values are reported as/in
mm/hr
ESR is affected by 3 factors, what are those
Red cells
plasma composition
mechanical/technical factors
Red cells repel each other because of their ___
net negative charge
In disease states, plasma protein concentration changes, causing a reduction in the negative charge of the RBCs and consequent formation of ___
rouleaux
true or false
The larger the particle, the faster its rate of fall
true
Macrocytes settle more rapidly than microcytes
true or false
macrocytes - it’s always the biggest and largest falls faster
ESR decrease or increase
sickle cells
decrease
ESR decrease or increase
spherocytes
decrease
can sickle cells and spherocytes form rouleaux?
nope, they can’t. Esr decrease
ESR decrease or increase
anisocytosis
decrease
ESR decrease or increase
poikilocytosis
decrease
two conditions in which the rbc’s capability to form larger aggregates is reduced?
anisocytosis and poikilocytosis
ESR decrease or increase
sever anemia
increase
why do anemia has an elevated ESR?
it didn’t take long for all the rbc to settle as they have more space and they are only few.
Single most important factor determining the ESR
plasma factors
Rouleaux and aggregation are controlled primarily by levels of a___
acute phase proteins
Rouleaux and aggregation are controlled primarily by levels of acute phase proteins
what are those acute phase proteins?
fibrinogen, alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin
examples of mechanical or technical factors?
angle/tilt
rack holding the tubes
temperature
A tilt of 3 degrees can cause errors up to how many percent?
30%
The rack holding the tubes should not be subject to any movement of ___
vibrations
Large changes in temperature – Increased temp = Increased ESR
true or false
true