Final answer:
The most important immediate post-birth assessment is the Apgar score, focusing on critical measures such as heart rate and respiration to evaluate the newborn's health and need for urgent care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority assessment when caring for the newborn immediately after birth is to assess the newborn's Apgar score. The Apgar test is a simple assessment given to an infant right after birth to evaluate its transition from the uterus to the outside world. The Apgar score includes five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex), activity (muscle tone), and respiration.
Of these criteria, heart rate and respiration are considered the most critical, with poor scores indicating the need for immediate medical attention. A score lower than 7 at 5 minutes may signal that medical assistance is needed, while a score below 5 is an emergency situation. Scores of 8 or above are seen as normal.