Final answer:
Normal arterial umbilical cord blood pH and blood gas values for term newborns are pH 7.35-7.45, with pCO2 levels for males at 35-48 mm Hg and for females at 32-45 mm Hg. These values indicate the newborn's postnatal physiological status, transitioning from fetal hemoglobin and circulation to regular neonatal functioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Normal Umbilical Cord Blood pH and Blood Gas Values
The question pertains to the normal umbilical cord blood pH and blood gas values in term newborns, specifically for arterial blood. For a term newborn, the reference arterial blood gas values are as follows: a pH range of 7.35-7.45 and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) levels in males from 35-48 mm Hg and females from 32-45 mm Hg. These values are crucial indicators of the newborn's metabolic and respiratory status immediately after birth, reflecting how well the baby is adapting to life outside the womb, considering the fetal hemoglobin characteristics and the dramatic circulatory changes that occur once breathing commences. The first breaths after delivery greatly affect the circulatory system, closing the fetal shunts and causing the umbilical vessels to collapse. This major reconfiguration of the circulatory system signifies the transition from fetal to neonatal life, where the lungs now perform the crucial function of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.