Newborn delivered limp with central cyanosis and thick black secretions. What should you do?

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Multiple Choice

Newborn delivered limp with central cyanosis and thick black secretions. What should you do?

When a newborn is limp with central cyanosis and thick secretions, the airway is the first priority. Secretions can quickly block the airway and prevent effective breathing, so clearing them to open the airway is essential before anything else. Suctioning the mouth first removes the most accessible secretions that could be aspirated into the lungs, then suctioning the nose clears the remaining passages. A bulb syringe is a quick, readily available tool that provides immediate suction to rapidly clear secretions and restore patency of the airway. Once the airway is clear, you can begin ventilation with a bag-valve mask and assess the newborn’s response. Chest compressions are reserved for situations where ventilation has been provided and the heart rate remains under 60 beats per minute. Oxygen alone won’t help if the airway is obstructed, and clearing the airway takes priority over other interventions.

When a newborn is limp with central cyanosis and thick secretions, the airway is the first priority. Secretions can quickly block the airway and prevent effective breathing, so clearing them to open the airway is essential before anything else.

Suctioning the mouth first removes the most accessible secretions that could be aspirated into the lungs, then suctioning the nose clears the remaining passages. A bulb syringe is a quick, readily available tool that provides immediate suction to rapidly clear secretions and restore patency of the airway.

Once the airway is clear, you can begin ventilation with a bag-valve mask and assess the newborn’s response. Chest compressions are reserved for situations where ventilation has been provided and the heart rate remains under 60 beats per minute. Oxygen alone won’t help if the airway is obstructed, and clearing the airway takes priority over other interventions.

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