Final answer:
The statement that pulmonary blood pressure is higher than arterial blood pressure due to shorter blood flow distance is false; pulmonary blood pressure is actually lower than systemic arterial blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that pulmonary blood pressure is higher than arterial blood pressure because blood flows a shorter distance is false. In reality, the pulmonary circulation, which carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the left side of the heart, operates at a significantly lower pressure than the systemic circulation.
This is because the pulmonary system doesn't need to pump blood to the entire body but only through the lungs, which are close to the heart. In fact, systemic arterial blood pressure is higher to ensure that blood can travel through the entire body, delivering oxygen and nutrients and returning waste products to be expelled.