Final answer:
In secondary apnea, a newborn's heart rate and blood pressure both decrease, a condition often assessed using the Apgar score.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a baby enters the stage of secondary apnea, its heart rate will fall and its blood pressure will also fall. Secondary apnea can occur after a period of initial rapid breathing when a newborn fails to establish regular respiration after birth and is a serious condition that requires immediate medical assistance.
Through the Apgar score, which assesses criteria including heart rate and respiration, medical professionals can determine the health status of a newborn and the need for urgent care.
In the Apgar score measures, both heart rate and respiration are critical; poor scores indicate a possible need for resuscitation or stabilization of the newborn.