Scribd
Upload
6 views2 pages

ESR

ESR measures the rate at which red blood cells settle over time and is influenced by plasma proteins and fibrinogen, differing from hematocrit which measures red blood cell volume. Factors like age, gender, inflammation, and medications can affect ESR. The Westergren and Wintrobe methods are used to determine ESR, requiring an appropriate anticoagulant concentration to prevent clotting and ensure accuracy. ESR is clinically significant as a non-specific marker for inflammation, infection, and certain diseases.

Uploaded by

Physics Tution
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views2 pages

ESR

ESR measures the rate at which red blood cells settle over time and is influenced by plasma proteins and fibrinogen, differing from hematocrit which measures red blood cell volume. Factors like age, gender, inflammation, and medications can affect ESR. The Westergren and Wintrobe methods are used to determine ESR, requiring an appropriate anticoagulant concentration to prevent clotting and ensure accuracy. ESR is clinically significant as a non-specific marker for inflammation, infection, and certain diseases.

Uploaded by

Physics Tution
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

ESR

1. What is ESR? How does it differ from hematocrit?


- ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate): It measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in
a vertical tube over time. It is influenced by plasma proteins and fibrinogen.
- Difference from Hematocrit:Hematocrit measures the volume percentage of red blood cells in
whole blood, while ESR assesses the rate of RBC settling in a specific period.

2. What are the factors that affect ESR?


- Factors: Age, gender, anemia, inflammation, infection, pregnancy, and certain medications.

3. What is the role of plasma fibrinogen in ESR?


- Role: Fibrinogen, an acute-phase reactant, influences blood viscosity, and its increase
accelerates RBC aggregation, impacting ESR.

4. What are the methods of determining ESR?


- Methods: Westergren method (widely used, measures in mm/hr) and Wintrobe method
(measures in mm).

5. Why should the anticoagulant concentration be appropriate for ESR estimation?


- Reason: Anticoagulant prevents blood clotting during ESR testing. Inappropriate
concentration affects sedimentation.

6. What are the precautions and sources of error in the Westergren method?
- Precautions: Use sodium citrate anticoagulant, maintain blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.
- Sources of Error: Incorrect ratio, delayed testing, temperature fluctuations.

7. What are the precautions and sources of error in the Wintrobe method? Why is the
Westergren method more accurate than the Wintrobe method?
- Precautions:Proper blood mix, correct anticoagulant, standardized procedure.
- Sources of Error:Improper mixing, wrong anticoagulant, tube dimensions.
- Accuracy: Westergren method is longer and more accurate, especially at high values.

8. What is the clinical significance of determining ESR?


- Significance:Non-specific marker for inflammation, infection, and certain diseases.
Monitoring disease progression and response to treatment.

10. Why is the blood collected on an empty stomach for determining ESR?
- Reason: Postprandial lipemia can affect ESR results, so fasting helps ensure accuracy.

11. What are the physiological conditions of increased ESR?


- Conditions: Pregnancy, advanced age, anemia, and, in some cases, menstruation.

12. What are the diseases in which ESR increases? What are the diseases in which ESR
decreases?
- Increases: Inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, infections).
- Decreases: Polycythemia, sickle cell anemia.
13. What is ZSR?
- ZSR (Zeta Sedimentation Ratio): It's an automated method using zeta potential to measure
RBC aggregation, providing an alternative to traditional ESR methods.

You might also like