HESI Obstetrics and Maternity Assignment Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a newborn arrives with poor tone and apnea, the first priority is to establish effective breathing and gas exchange. Positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve-mask provides controlled breaths to inflate the lungs, improve oxygenation, and raise the heart rate. This PPV with a BVM is the standard initial respiratory support in resuscitation because it directly addresses the main problem—inadequate ventilation causing hypoxia and poor perfusion.

Oxygen via a hood is not the primary intervention during the immediate resuscitation step; it may be added later if ongoing oxygenation is insufficient. Chest compressions come into play only if the heart rate remains very low after attempts at ventilation, indicating perfusion is still compromised. Intubation is considered if ventilation with a bag-valve-mask is ineffective or if prolonged ventilation is anticipated, but it is not the first-line action in this scenario.