What initial actions should be taken for a newborn immediately after delivery?

The correct answer emphasizes the crucial initial steps that should be taken for a newborn immediately after delivery. Firstly, providing warmth is essential because newborns are at risk of hypothermia due to their large surface area relative to their body mass, making it important to maintain their core body temperature. Positioning the airway appropriately is critical to ensure that the newborn can breathe effectively. After positioning, clearing the airway of any secretions or mucus is vital to prevent obstruction and facilitate effective breathing.

Stimulating the newborn is necessary to encourage spontaneous breathing and initiate their transition from fetal to independent respiratory function. All these actions form a fundamental part of the initial care provided to newborns, aiming to address their immediate needs in a structured manner.

The other choices present tasks that are also important but are not the immediate priorities right after delivery. For example, assessing breathing and monitoring heart rate do take place, but they naturally follow the initial actions of ensuring warmth, airway positioning, and clearing. Similarly, administering oxygen typically comes into play if the newborn is not breathing adequately after these initial interventions.