Final answer:
For infants who cannot breathe on their own, resuscitation followed by intubation and potentially mechanical ventilation is the initial course of action. CPAP and the administration of pulmonary surfactant are also key treatments for infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preferred rescue breathing technique for infants differs from those used on adults and older children. In cases where an infant is not breathing on their own, medical professionals may resort to a sequence of resuscitation and intubation, and in some circumstances, place the infant on a ventilator to mechanically assist with the breathing process. If the infant can breathe spontaneously, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be applied. Additionally, the administration of pulmonary surfactant can aid in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) treatment, significantly decreasing mortality rates. Other supportive therapies like temperature regulation, nutritional support, and possibly antibiotics could follow, depending on the circumstances surrounding the infant's condition.