Final answer:
It is false that babies at risk of pulmonary hypertension should target a 100% oxygen saturation; the goal is typically between 95-100% to prevent potential oxygen toxicity and other complications. Pulse oximetry is used for non-invasive monitoring, while arterial blood gas tests provide precise pO2 levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is false that babies at risk of pulmonary hypertension should routinely receive supplemental oxygen to achieve a target oxygen saturation of 100%. In clinical practice, the goal for oxygen saturation is typically between 95-100 percent, as measured by a pulse oximeter. Attempting to maintain oxygen saturation at 100% could lead to oxygen toxicity, which can be particularly harmful in neonates due to their underdeveloped antioxidant systems. Furthermore, excessively high oxygen levels can adversely affect the development of the eyes and lungs in premature infants. Therefore, while it is critical that babies with a risk of pulmonary hypertension receive adequate oxygen to prevent hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) and associated hypoxia (low tissue oxygenation), the target for their oxygen saturation should be set within the safe and effective range, not at an absolute 100%.
Percent saturation is an important parameter in healthcare, representing the percentage of hemoglobin sites in blood occupied by oxygen. Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive way to measure this, and when lower levels are detected, it indicates hypoxemia. In more severe cases, invasive methods such as arterial blood gas tests might be required for accurate measurement of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in blood.