Final answer:
The typical pattern of a newborn's heart rate immediately after birth is 160-180 bpm, decreasing after 30 minutes, with an irregular respiratory rate of 60-80 bpm, both important for determining the Apgar score.
Step-by-step explanation:
The typical pattern of a newborn's heart rate and respiratory rate immediately after birth is Option A: Heart rate increases to 160-180 bpm, decreases after 30 minutes; respiratory rate is irregular at 60-80 bpm. Immediately following delivery, newborns often have a high heart rate that can range between 160 to 180 bpm, which usually stabilizes to a more resting rate over the next 30 minutes. The newborn's respiratory rate is typically irregular but lies within 60 to 80 breaths per minute immediately after birth, becoming more stable and slowing down as they age.
Understanding these vital signs is crucial as they're key components of the Apgar score, a quick test performed on newborns at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. This score assesses the baby’s heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin color to evaluate their physical condition and need for any emergency medical interventions. A newborn's Apgar score can range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating that the baby is transitioning well from the womb, while lower scores could signify distress.