Laboratory Activity 12: ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE

Question 1

is a measure of the distance and speed of fall of RBCs in the plasma in a tube of a standard bore and length after standing perpendicularly.

Answer 1

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Question 2

The most important factor influencing ESR is the action of.

Answer 2

plasma proteins

Question 3

Aside from measuring the suspension stability of RBCs, the ESR is used as an index of the presence of an active infection and may indicate abnormal concentrations of

Answer 3

fibrinogen, globulin, and other plasma proteins.

Question 4

A. Westergren Method (Disposable/Dispette Westergren ESR System)
1. Mix 4 parts EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood with 1 part (?).
2. Pour the (?) into the vial provided in the kit.
3. Place the dispette in the vial using a (?) until blood reaches bottom of safety autozeroing
plug.
4. Vial and dispette are placed vertically in a special rack for (?), undisturbed.
5. After exactly (?), read the distance from the “0” mark to the top of the column of red cells (distance
that the red cell meniscus falls in one hour). If the demarcation between plasma and red cell column is
hazy, the level is taken where the full density is first apparent.
6. Report readings in

Answer 4

0.85% saline solution

mixture

twisting motion

60 minutes

one hour

mm/hr

Question 5

B. Wintrobe Method
1. Using the Pasteur pipette, fill the Wintrobe tube from the bottom with (?).
2. Allow the tube to stand in a vertical position in its rack for exactly (?) at room temperature.
3. Record sedimentation rate as the distance the red cell meniscus falls in (?).
4. Report reading in

Answer 5

well-mixed anticoagulated blood

one hour

one hour

mm/hr