Also known as: CRP.

CRP increases in severe cases of inflammation, so the test is ordered when acute inflammation is a risk (such as from an infection after surgery) or suspected based on patient symptoms. The test is also ordered to help evaluate conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and often repeated to determine whether treatment is effective. This is useful for inflammation problems since CRP levels drop as inflammation subsides. CRP is also used to monitor wound healing and to monitor patients who have organ transplants, surgical cuts (incisions), or burns as an early detection system for possible infections.