Which of the following lab tests is NOT commonly ordered to ascertain whether the patient is experiencing large amounts of inflammation?

A. Trauma can cause an elevated WBC count as part of the body’s response to injury. The immune system reacts to tissue damage by increasing WBC production to facilitate healing and fight potential infections.
B. Hyperglycemia itself does not directly cause an elevated WBC count. However, it may be associated with conditions like diabetes, where infections are more common. Therefore, while hyperglycemia can occur concurrently with elevated WBC counts, it is not a direct cause of the increase.
C. Infection is one of the most common causes of an elevated WBC count. The body responds to infections (bacterial, viral, etc.) by increasing WBC production to help combat the invading pathogens.
D. Inflammation, whether due to autoimmune conditions, allergies, or other causes, can also lead to an increase in WBC count. The inflammatory process triggers the immune response, resulting in elevated levels of white blood cells.
E. While steroid injections can influence WBC counts, they often cause a redistribution of white blood cells rather than an increase in production. Corticosteroids can cause a decrease in certain types of white blood cells (like lymphocytes) but may increase neutrophils due to a release from the bone marrow.

A. This is primarily associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), not Rheumatoid Arthritis. While some RA patients may have skin changes, a malar rash is not a typical manifestation of RA.
B. Morning stiffness is a hallmark symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Patients often experience stiffness in their joints after periods of inactivity, particularly in the morning, which typically lasts for at least 30 minutes and can improve with movement.
C. Swan neck deformities are specific joint deformities seen in RA, where there is hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joints and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints. This is a common feature in advanced cases of RA.
D. : RA typically presents with symmetrical joint involvement. This means that if one side is affected, the opposite side is likely to be similarly affected, leading to bilateral joint deformities.
E. While joint pain can occur at rest, RA is more characterized by pain and stiffness during periods of inactivity and improvement with movement. However, as the disease progresses, patients may experience pain even at rest.