Final answer:
When suctioning a newborn, the mouth should be suctioned first to prevent mucus aspiration before the baby's first breath. This allows for proper lung inflation and the necessary circulatory changes that occur after birth.
Step-by-step explanation:
In suctioning a newborn, the mouth should be suctioned first before the nose. Upon the birth of the newborn's head, it is crucial to aspirate mucus from the mouth and nose before the newborn takes their first breath to prevent aspiration or inhalation of mucus into the lungs. The initial breaths are vital for inflating the lungs and initiating the necessary circulatory changes for the baby to adapt to life outside the womb. As nasal breathing is generally considered superior due to its filtering and moisturizing abilities, it is important to ensure that the nasal passages are clear after the mouth has been properly suctioned.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'In suctioning a newborn, which area should be suctioned first?' is a) Mouth.