Final answer:
For a newborn with an APGAR score of 5, effective ventilation is the first treatment to consider. This score indicates the baby may need immediate medical attention, focusing on critical criteria such as heart rate and respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a full-term baby delivered in the back of an ambulance has an initial APGAR score of 5, the treatment that should be done primarily is effective ventilation. This score indicates an emergency situation, and since the most critical criteria of the APGAR score are heart rate and respiration, ensuring that the baby is able to breathe properly is the immediate concern. Only after re-evaluation, if the baby's condition does not stabilize and depending on the specific measurements like heart rate, other interventions such as CPR, vascular access, or the administration of epinephrine may be warranted.
The APGAR test is a painless and simple assessment given to a newborn immediately after birth to evaluate their transition from the uterus to the outside world. It encompasses five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex), activity (muscle tone), and respiration. For assessing these criteria, no instruments are needed except for a stethoscope. A score of 8 or above is considered normal, while any score below 7 indicates the need for medical assistance.