Final answer:
If the baby's heart rate is below 60 bpm after ventilation, start chest compressions. If the heart rate is between 60-100 bpm and improving, continue ventilation and monitor. If the heart rate is 60-100 bpm without improvement, look for underlying causes and consult a neonatologist.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you have administered positive-pressure ventilation to a baby with different heart rate outcomes, here's what you should do depending on each scenario:
- If the baby's heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, begin chest compressions combined with ventilation, following current neonatal resuscitation guidelines. This is an emergency situation indicating the baby's heart is not pumping adequately and requires immediate intervention.
- If the heart rate is more than 60 beats per minute and less than 100 beats per minute, but steadily improving with effective positive-pressure ventilation, continue ventilation and monitor the heart rate closely. Improvement suggests that the interventions are working, and the heart rate is moving towards a normal range.
- If the heart rate remains more than 60 beats per minute and less than 100 beats per minute and is not improving with effective positive-pressure ventilation, consider and promptly address possible causes such as hypovolemia, hypoxia, acidosis, or tension pneumothorax and consult with a neonatologist if available.
It is important to act quickly and efficiently as the adequacy of heart rate and respiration are critical factors assessed by Apgar scores, with low scores indicating the need for immediate medical attention to resuscitate or stabilize the newborn.