Final answer:
The claim that bright-pink skin indicates an excessively high arterial oxygen level predisposing an infant to retinopathy of prematurity is false. It does not directly lead to this condition; however, it is essential to monitor oxygen levels in premature infants carefully.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Bright-pink skin and mucous membranes may indicate an excessively high arterial oxygen level, which predisposes the infant to retinopathy of prematurity.' is false. While bright-pink skin can be a sign of a well-oxygenated baby, it is not directly associated with an increased risk of retinopathy of prematurity. Retinopathy of prematurity is primarily associated with premature birth, where the levels of oxygen in the blood need to be carefully monitored because both high and low oxygen levels can drive the abnormal blood vessel growth that characterizes the disease. Instead, symptoms of excessively high arterial oxygen in infants may include possible cherry-red skin or cyanosis, confusion or gasping for air. Conditions such as jaundice, which presents with a yellowish color of the skin and mucous membranes due to bilirubin buildup, or cyanosis from conditions like tetralogy of Fallot and patent foramen ovale or 'blue baby syndrome,' in which there is an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood, also manifest with notable skin color changes.