Question

What does the erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood test measure?

1) The number of red blood cells in a milliliter of blood
2) The number of red blood cells that line an injured vessel
3) The speed in which a red blood cell settles in a test tube
4) The speed in which a red blood cell destructs in a test tube

Answer 1

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood test measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube, which can indicate the presence of certain diseases that cause red blood cells to clump together.

Step-by-step explanation:

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood test measures the speed at which red blood cells settle in a test tube over a set period of time. This phenomenon, known as sedimentation, is influenced by the aggregation of red blood cells, which can occur as a result of certain diseases. The formation of clumps increases the rate at which cells settle due to their combined weight. The correct answer to the student's question is that the test measures the speed in which a red blood cell settles in a test tube.