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Newborn resuscitation — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardResuscitationNewborn resuscitationDIPIMCDipIMC

You attend an unexpected birth at home. The newborn is floppy, not breathing, and remains pale after drying and stimulation. You have dried the baby, wrapped it for warmth and opened the airway. What is the most appropriate next step?

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Correct answer: E — Deliver five inflation breaths and then reassess the heart rate

In newborn resuscitation, after drying, warming and opening the airway, the next step is to give five inflation breaths and then reassess the heart rate, since most newborns respond to effective lung inflation alone. Chest compressions are started only if the heart rate remains below 60 despite effective ventilation, and then at a 3:1 ratio, not the adult ratios offered. Current guidance no longer relies on skin colour to judge oxygenation. Pearl: aerating the lungs is the single most important step in resuscitation at birth.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 (Newborn Resuscitation)