What is the immediate nursing action for a newborn with an Apgar score of 3 at 1 minute?

When a newborn has an Apgar score of 3 at 1 minute, it indicates that the baby is in a state of significant distress and requires immediate medical intervention. An Apgar score assesses five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. A score of 3 is classified as low, suggesting critical conditions, such as poor respiratory effort and possibly poor heart rate or muscle tone.

In this context, the most immediate nursing action is to start resuscitation. This could involve providing positive pressure ventilation, chest compressions, and administering medications as necessary. Rapid resuscitation is vital to improve the newborn's respiratory and circulatory status and to prevent potential long-term complications or death.

While monitoring temperature, administering oxygen therapy, and providing skin-to-skin contact are important aspects of neonatal care, they are not the priority actions when a newborn exhibits such a low Apgar score. Immediate resuscitation is the most crucial step needed to stabilize the infant before any other care can be effectively implemented.