CRP and systemic inflammatory response syndrome: On initial presentation, his labs and vitals showed an elevated white blood count of 17 K/uL, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 108 mm/hr, C-reactive protein (CRP) of 28.9 mg/L, oral temperature of 100.0 F, blood pressure 125/80 mmHg, heart rate of 108 beats/min, and respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min, meeting the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and potential sepsis.