A client is diagnosed with anemia, and laboratory results show macrocytic and normochromic red blood cells. A nurse suspects a specific type of anemia based on these findings. Which type is most likely to be associated with this result?

A) This choice is correct. Serum ferritin levels are used to assess the body's iron stores. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and low levels of serum ferritin indicate iron deficiency.

B) This choice is incorrect because the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific indicator of inflammation and is not directly related to iron stores.

C) This choice is incorrect because total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) measures the amount of iron that can be bound to transferrin, a protein that transports iron in the blood, but it does not directly assess iron stores.

D) This choice is incorrect because the white blood cell count (WBC) is not directly related to iron stores or the evaluation of anemia.

A) This choice is correct. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron (the type of iron found in plant-based foods and supplements), so increasing vitamin C intake can help improve iron absorption. This can help differentiate between iron-deficiency anemia (improved iron absorption with increased vitamin C) and anemia of chronic disease (improved iron absorption with decreased vitamin C intake).

B) This choice is incorrect because increasing folate intake may help with megaloblastic anemia caused by folate deficiency, but it does not directly differentiate between iron-deficiency anemia and other types of anemia.

C) This choice is incorrect because increasing vitamin B12 intake does not help differentiate between iron-deficiency anemia and other types of anemia.

D) This choice is incorrect because increasing protein intake is important for overall health but does not directly help differentiate between iron-deficiency anemia and other types of anemia.