Final answer:
The question pertains to the normal blood pressure range for infants, which is expected to be lower than adults due to the shorter height the blood is pumped to. The conversion of adult blood pressure from mm Hg to N/m² gives values of P120 = 1.60 × 10⁴ N/m² and P80 = 1.07 x 10⁴ N/m².
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is inquiring about the normal blood pressure range for infants, specifically at 1 year of age. Normal blood pressure for a young adult is typically quoted as 120/80 mm Hg, which stands for millimeters of mercury and is a common unit for measuring pressure. For an infant, who is significantly shorter than an adult, the blood pressure is expected to be lower due to the smaller height to which blood must be pumped.
When converting blood pressure from mm Hg to newtons per meter squared (N/m²), 1.0 mm Hg is equivalent to 133 Pascal (Pa). Therefore, an adult's blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg can be converted to 120 x 133 Pa / 80 x 133 Pa, resulting in P120 = 1.60 × 10⁴ N/m²; P80 = 1.07 x 10⁴ N/m². Based on an infant’s average height of approximately 20 inches, compared to an adult's 70 inches, the blood pressure for an infant is lower. Consequently, health professionals expect normal blood pressure values for an infant to be significantly smaller than those for an adult.