Question

Which of the following statements is true concerning SpO₂ and normal transitional physiology at the time of birth?

A. SpO₂ is typically lower immediately after birth and gradually increases within the first few minutes.
B. SpO₂ is consistently high from the moment of birth.
C. SpO₂ remains low until the neonate takes its first breath.
D. None of the above

Answer 1

SpO₂ is typically lower immediately after birth and gradually increases, which is a result of the neonate's first breath facilitating significant respiratory and circulatory changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is true concerning SpO₂ and normal transitional physiology at the time of birth is A: SpO₂ is typically lower immediately after birth and gradually increases within the first few minutes. Following the newborn's first breath, a series of respiratory and circulatory adjustments occur. The lungs inflate, decreasing pulmonary blood pressure and resistance to blood flow. This causes closing of fetal shunts, such as the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus, ensuring the neonate's blood is oxygenated by the lungs.

Thermoregulatory adjustments also take place as newborns transition from a warm amniotic fluid environment to an external world where they must regulate their own body temperature.