Author Question: What make RBCs settle faster through the plasma when inflammation or infection exist? a. Bacteria ... (Read 134 times)

cartlidgeashley · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

What make RBCs settle faster through the plasma when inflammation or infection exist?

a. Bacteria cause red cells to agglutinate and fall faster.
b. Increased number of neutrophils cause red cells to form rouleaux.
c. Inflammation makes the plasma less viscous.
d. Acute phase reactant proteins disrupt the electrical charge that normally separates cells.

Question 2

Which of the following is a good use of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?

a. Monitor patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
b. Diagnose acute appendicitis.
c. Diagnose multiple myeloma.
d. Monitor patients with osteoarthritis.

Madisongo23 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
When the red cell mass increases, the red cells fall faster through plasma, thus elevating the ESR; rouleaux formation increases the red cell mass. Rouleaux formation occurs when the net negative charge that normally separates red cells from one another is disrupted by acute phase reactant proteins. RBC agglutination also elevates the ESR.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The ESR is elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It decreases when the disease is in remission and increases when it exacerbates; therefore it is useful for monitoring this disease. It is normal in the first 24 hours of acute appendicitis, so is not useful in diagnosis. It is elevated in multiple myeloma, but also in many other clinical conditions, so it is not diagnostic for it. It is normal in osteoarthritis and thus of no value for monitoring those patients.