Grab our free cheatsheet covering the 63 Must Know Labs for nurses right here: http://www.NURSING.com/labs Listen to all the episodes at: https://www.NURSING.com/labspodcast/ View this post on our blog: https://www.NURSING.com/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr/ Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Normal: 0-20 mm/h Indications:  Identifies inflammation which assists in diagnosing: o Cancer o Infection o Autoimmune diseases Description: The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test measures sedimentation of Red Blood Cells (RBCs). The inflammatory process affects proteins in the blood which causes RBCs to stick together and settle out of liquid. Normal blood has very little settling, but during the inflammatory process the ESR is elevated. What would cause increased levels?  Anemia  Chronic Renal Failure  Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)  Infection  Tuberculosis  Pregnancy  Polymyalgia Rheumatica  Multiple myeloma  Medications: o Oral contraceptives o Theophylline o Vitamin A What would cause decreased levels?  Sickle cell anemia  Polycythemia Vera  Leukocytosis  Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)  Medications: o Aspirin o Cortisone o Quinine