What should be administered to a newborn who is apnoeic?

In cases of apnoea in a newborn, it is essential to provide appropriate interventions that address the underlying cause. The correct choice is to administer naloxone, particularly if there is a suspicion that the apnoea is related to opioid exposure. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that works by rapidly reversing the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression, thereby restoring normal breathing in a newborn who may have slumped into apnoea due to opioid effects.

It's important to also be aware that other interventions, such as providing oxygen, while beneficial in some situations, do not address the direct cause of apnoea. If the apnoea is primarily due to another cause, simply administering oxygen may not be sufficient. Similarly, respiratory stimulants can also support breathing; however, their use is less common in acute situations when immediate reversal of opioid effects is necessary. Finally, adrenaline has specific indications, such as for severe cardiovascular instability or anaphylaxis, but does not directly treat apnoea from opioid toxicity.

Thus, the administration of naloxone is the most direct and effective intervention in response to apnoea in a newborn suspected of opioid exposure.