Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Oct 22, 2022•3 min
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Episode description
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs
Objective:
Determine the significance and clinical use of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in clinical practice
Lab Test Name:
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate- ESR
Description:
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test measures sedimentation of Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
In normal conditions, RBCs settle or sediment very little.
Inflammation affects proteins in the blood causing RBCs to stick and settle together out of the liquid portion of the blood.
Indications:
Identifies inflammation which assists in diagnosing:
- Cancer
- Infection
- Autoimmune diseases
Normal Therapeutic Values:
Normal – 0-20 mm/hr
What would cause increased levels?
Increased
Conditions:
- Anemia
- Chronic Renal Failure
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Infection
- Tuberculosis
- Pregnancy
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Multiple myeloma
Medications:
- Oral contraceptives
- Theophylline
- Vitamin A
What would cause decreased levels?
Decreased
Conditions:
- Sickle cell anemia
- Polycythemia Vera
- Leukocytosis
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Medications:
- Aspirin
- Cortisone
- Quinine
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