A client presents with fatigue, weakness, and a red, sore tongue. A nurse suspects the client may have a specific type of anemia. Which type is most likely based on these findings?

A) This choice is correct. A vegetarian diet, especially if not well-balanced and lacking in iron-rich foods, can lead to iron-deficiency anemia.

B) This choice is incorrect. Chronic kidney disease is more likely to cause anemia due to impaired erythropoietin production rather than directly causing iron deficiency.

C) This choice is incorrect. Excessive red blood cell destruction is associated with hemolytic anemia, not iron-deficiency anemia.

D) This choice is correct. Gastrointestinal bleeding, such as from peptic ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease, can lead to chronic blood loss and iron-deficiency anemia.

A) This statement is incorrect because anemia is characterized by a decrease in red blood cell production or an abnormal decrease in hemoglobin levels, not an increase in red blood cell production.

B) This statement is incorrect because anemia is caused by a deficiency in iron, not an excess of iron.

C) This statement is correct. Anemia is characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells or a decreased hemoglobin concentration, which leads to a diminished ability of the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body.

D) This statement is incorrect. Anemia is not caused by a viral infection affecting the bone marrow; rather, it is typically caused by nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, or blood loss.