If a newborn is breathing spontaneously with a heart rate of 80 beats/min, what action should you take?

In the scenario presented, a newborn who is breathing spontaneously but has a heart rate of 80 beats per minute indicates bradycardia, a condition requiring immediate intervention. When a newborn’s heart rate is below 100 beats per minute, it is essential to take action to support the infant’s cardiovascular functioning.

Initiating positive-pressure ventilations is crucial in this case because the goal is to improve oxygenation and stimulate the heart. The act of providing positive-pressure ventilations helps increase the heart rate, supply adequate oxygen, and prevent potential complications from inadequate perfusion.

While providing supplemental oxygen can assist in situations of respiratory distress, the newborn in this case is already breathing spontaneously, which makes immediate intervention for the low heart rate more critical. Assessing the baby’s skin condition and color is important but should be part of a more comprehensive evaluation rather than the primary action in response to bradycardia. Starting chest compressions is only warranted if the heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute, and contacting medical control is also secondary to immediate interventions that address the current state of the newborn. Thus, initiating positive-pressure ventilations directly addresses the most pressing issue at hand: supporting the heart rate and ensuring adequate oxygenation.