Final answer:
The most critical nursing intervention immediately after birth is establishing effective respiration and ensuring the first breath inflates the newborn's lungs. The Apgar test is also performed to evaluate the newborn's overall condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Priority Nursing Intervention for a Newborn
Immediately after birth, the highest priority nursing intervention for a newborn infant is ensuring the establishment of effective respiration. This critical step involves inflating the lungs as the newborn takes its first breath, which also closes the fetal shunts in the heart and changes the circulatory system. The healthcare provider will also perform the Apgar test to assess the newborn's well-being, which includes heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color.
Additionally, clamping and cutting the umbilical cord are important immediate steps. The first consumption of colostrum from breast milk is crucial for providing the newborn with immune-boosting nutrients and establishing the intestinal flora vital for digestion. Maintaining the newborn's body temperature through thermoregulation is essential due to their immature brown adipose tissue for nonshivering thermogenesis.