Final answer:
The nurse should document the finding and monitor closely if a newborn has a respiratory rate of 78 breaths/min.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should Document the finding and monitor closely if a newborn has a respiratory rate of 78 breaths/min.
According to the Apgar criteria, the heart rate and respiration are critical measurements for assessing the health of a newborn. A respiratory rate of 78 breaths/min falls within the normal range for a newborn, which is between 30 and 60 breaths/min. Therefore, the nurse should document the finding and closely monitor the newborn's respiratory rate for any changes or abnormalities.