A newborn's respirations are absent or depressed (less than 30/min). You should consider all of the following EXCEPT:

A newborn's respirations are absent or depressed (less than 30/min). You should consider all of the following EXCEPT:

• A. Provide tactile stimulation.
• B. Begin chest compressions.
• C. Cool the infant to reduce metabolism.
• D. Warm the infant and begin ventilation.

Answer: (C)

In newborn resuscitation, the priority is to establish breathing and keep the baby warm. When respirations are absent or depressed, you first dry and stimulate the infant and place them on a warm surface. If the baby isn’t breathing adequately, begin positive-pressure ventilation to inflate the lungs and improve oxygen delivery, while maintaining warmth to reduce heat loss and metabolic demand. Chest compressions are not started right away; they’re considered only if the heart rate remains below about 60 beats per minute after 30 seconds of effective ventilation. Cooling the infant to reduce metabolism is not performed during the immediate resuscitation; warming is essential, and cooling may be used later only as part of therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation if indicated. So cooling the infant is not appropriate in this acute situation, while tactile stimulation and warming with ventilation are appropriate steps.

In newborn resuscitation, the priority is to establish breathing and keep the baby warm. When respirations are absent or depressed, you first dry and stimulate the infant and place them on a warm surface. If the baby isn’t breathing adequately, begin positive-pressure ventilation to inflate the lungs and improve oxygen delivery, while maintaining warmth to reduce heat loss and metabolic demand. Chest compressions are not started right away; they’re considered only if the heart rate remains below about 60 beats per minute after 30 seconds of effective ventilation. Cooling the infant to reduce metabolism is not performed during the immediate resuscitation; warming is essential, and cooling may be used later only as part of therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation if indicated. So cooling the infant is not appropriate in this acute situation, while tactile stimulation and warming with ventilation are appropriate steps.