A patient with severe anemia receives a blood transfusion stored for several weeks. Which risk increases as the level of 2,3-BPG decreases in the stored blood cells?

💡 Explanation

The risk of reduced oxygen release to tissues increases because 2,3-BPG normally reduces hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. A decrease in 2,3-BPG causes hemoglobin to bind oxygen more tightly, therefore less oxygen is released to tissues, rather than enhancing oxygen binding or altering CO2 transport.

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