What care should be prioritized if a newborn exhibits respiratory distress and a weak cry after birth?

When a newborn exhibits respiratory distress and a weak cry after birth, the immediate priority is to ensure that the baby is able to breathe effectively. Positive pressure ventilation is crucial in this situation as it helps to open the airways and provide adequate oxygenation. Newborns can have various issues right after birth that may result in inadequate ventilation, leading to respiratory distress.

Positive pressure ventilation can assist in situations where the newborn is unable to take adequate breaths on their own, such as if they are experiencing apnea, significant airway obstruction, or other respiratory difficulties. This intervention significantly improves the chances of stabilizing the baby's condition and providing the necessary oxygen to vital organs.

In this context, calling for a pediatric specialist, administering intravenous fluids, or performing a thorough physical assessment, while still important in ongoing care, are not the immediate interventions necessary to address the acute respiratory distress. The priority must always be to secure and improve the newborn's ability to breathe right away.