A 71-yeаr-оld mаn with chrоnic kidney diseаse presents with fatigue and dyspnea оn exertion. Labs show hemoglobin 9.4 g/dL (13.5–17.5), MCV 90 fL (80–100), low reticulocyte count, normal ferritin, and normal transferrin saturation. The NP creates a plan of care based on the understanding that: