Review Question - QID 109213

A 31-year-old female presents to the emergency room complaining of fever and difficulty breathing. She first noticed these symptoms 3 days prior to presentation. Her past medical history is notable for well-controlled asthma. She does not smoke and drinks alcohol socially. Upon further questioning, she reports that her urine is tea-colored when she wakes up but generally becomes more yellow and clear over the course of the day. Her temperature is 100.8°F (38.2°C), blood pressure is 135/90 mmHg, pulse is 115/min, and respirations are 20/min. Lung auscultation reveals rales at the right lung base. Laboratory analysis is shown below:

Hemoglobin: 9.4 g/dL
Hematocrit: 31%
Leukocyte count: 3,700 cells/mm^3 with normal differential
Platelet count: 110,000/mm^3
Reticulocyte count: 3%

A chest radiograph reveals consolidation in the right lung base and the patient is given oral antibiotics. Which of the following processes is likely impaired in this patient?