The nurse does a dietary assessment and learns that Mr.Johansen lives alone,does not enjoy cooking,and tends to consume a lot of tea and toast.Which of the following laboratory tests may indicate a long-term protein deficiency?

A) C-reactive protein
B) Transferrin
C) Hemoglobin
D) Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver and is used as an indicator of long-term protein status. A low level of albumin in the blood may indicate a long-term protein deficiency. C-reactive protein (A) is an acute-phase protein that rises in response to inflammation, not a marker of chronic protein deficiency. Transferrin (B) is a protein that transports iron in the blood, and its levels may be affected by iron deficiency but not by protein deficiency. Hemoglobin (C) is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and its levels may be affected by iron deficiency or anemia, but not necessarily by protein deficiency.