PLAB Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete Guide to Mastering the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Test!

In the scenario where a newborn is not breathing, the first appropriate step is to administer five breaths via a bag-mask. This approach is crucial because after ensuring that the newborn is not breathing, immediate ventilation support is necessary to provide oxygen to the infant’s lungs. Newborns can experience respiratory distress due to various reasons, including eliciting an inadequate respiratory drive or airway obstruction, and providing breaths helps to address this issue quickly.

When using a bag-mask, it is important to ensure a proper seal and deliver gentle breaths to avoid barotrauma, which can occur due to overventilation. This initial intervention is essential before proceeding to other techniques, such as calling for emergency assistance or performing chest compressions, as ensuring adequate ventilation is the priority in airway management for newborns. It is also critical to check the airway for obstructions, which should ideally be done simultaneously or in conjunction with the initial ventilation step. However, providing breaths takes precedence in the sequence of resuscitation efforts for newborns who are not ventilating effectively.