Which statement about the C-reactive protein (CRP) test is true?

Which statement about the C-reactive protein (CRP) test is true?

• A. It correlates with neutrophil phagocytic function.
• B. It is an indicator of ongoing inflammation.
• C. It is diagnostic for rheumatic fever.
• D. Levels decrease during heart disease.

Answer: (B)

C-reactive protein is an acute‑phase protein produced by the liver in response to inflammatory signals, such as cytokines released during inflammation or tissue injury. Its level rises quickly and tracks the degree of inflammatory activity, making it a useful general indicator of ongoing inflammation and of how active an inflammatory process might be. It is not a measure of neutrophil phagocytic function, which is assessed by tests of neutrophil activity rather than CRP. It is not diagnostic for rheumatic fever, since rheumatic fever diagnosis relies on clinical criteria (and supporting tests) rather than CRP alone. In heart disease, CRP can be elevated rather than decreased, particularly with acute events or chronic inflammatory contribution to atherosclerosis, so the idea that levels fall in heart disease isn’t accurate. Thus the statement that CRP indicates ongoing inflammation best captures its role.

C-reactive protein is an acute‑phase protein produced by the liver in response to inflammatory signals, such as cytokines released during inflammation or tissue injury. Its level rises quickly and tracks the degree of inflammatory activity, making it a useful general indicator of ongoing inflammation and of how active an inflammatory process might be. It is not a measure of neutrophil phagocytic function, which is assessed by tests of neutrophil activity rather than CRP. It is not diagnostic for rheumatic fever, since rheumatic fever diagnosis relies on clinical criteria (and supporting tests) rather than CRP alone. In heart disease, CRP can be elevated rather than decreased, particularly with acute events or chronic inflammatory contribution to atherosclerosis, so the idea that levels fall in heart disease isn’t accurate. Thus the statement that CRP indicates ongoing inflammation best captures its role.