A nurse is planning care for a client who reports heartburn. Which of the following tests should the nurse anticipate in the client's plan of care?

Choice A reason: Memory loss is not typically associated with vitamin C deficiency. Memory loss can be related to various conditions, including neurological disorders or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Choice B reason: Brittle hair can be a sign of vitamin C deficiency due to its role in collagen production, which affects the health of hair. However, it is not as specific or common as bleeding gums.

Choice C reason: Bleeding gums are a common symptom of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is essential for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue, which includes the gums. A deficiency can lead to scurvy, which manifests as bleeding gums among other symptoms.

Choice D reason: Constipation is not directly associated with vitamin C deficiency. While a healthy diet rich in vitamin C can aid digestion, constipation can be caused by a variety of factors unrelated to vitamin C intake.

Choice A reason: Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including nerve transmission and the regulation of muscle contractions, but it is not primarily used for oxygen transport.

Choice B reason: Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The normal range for iron in the blood is typically 50 to 170 micrograms per deciliter for men and 65 to 165 micrograms per deciliter for women.

Choice C reason: Potassium is crucial for heart function and plays a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive and muscular function, but not directly for oxygen transport.

Choice D reason: Phosphorus helps form bones and teeth and is involved in the body's utilization of carbohydrates and fats, as well as the synthesis of protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues, but it does not transport oxygen.