A mother brings her 3-year-old child for a well-child checkup. The nurse notices pallor and asks the mother about her child's recent behavior. The mother reports that the child has been rather tired lately and quite irritable. Testing reveals that the child's hemoglobin is 7 grams/dL (70 g/L). Which additional laboratory result(s) should the nurse report to the healthcare provider? Select all that apply. Reference Range Hemoglobin [9.5 to 14 g/dL (95 to 140 g/L)]

A. Serum ferritin: Ferritin reflects the body’s iron stores and is a key diagnostic marker for iron-deficiency anemia. A low ferritin level in the context of pallor, fatigue, irritability, and a hemoglobin of 7 g/dL strongly supports iron deficiency, which requires prompt evaluation and management by the healthcare provider. B. Leukocytes: White blood cell count primarily assesses infection or immune status. While important for overall health assessment, leukocyte levels are not directly relevant to diagnosing or managing anemia caused by iron deficiency in this child. C. Reticulocyte count: The reticulocyte count indicates bone marrow response to anemia. A low reticulocyte count in a child with severe anemia suggests insufficient production of red blood cells, consistent with iron-deficiency anemia. Reporting this helps the provider determine the severity and appropriate treatment plan. D. Red blood cell morphology: Examining RBC morphology, including size and shape, is crucial in anemia assessment. Microcytic, hypochromic cells are characteristic of iron-deficiency anemia. Abnormal morphology should be reported because it provides objective evidence supporting the suspected diagnosis. E. Eosinophil: Eosinophil levels are mainly assessed for allergic responses or parasitic infections. While elevated eosinophils may have clinical significance in other contexts, they do not directly aid in the diagnosis of anemia and are less relevant in this scenario.