Which action is appropriate if a newborn's heart rate drops during resuscitation?

When a newborn's heart rate drops during resuscitation, increasing the ventilation rate is an appropriate action. Adequate ventilation is crucial in managing respiratory issues often associated with a low heart rate in newborns. By providing effective positive pressure ventilation, you can help improve oxygenation and promote better cardiac function. The interaction between ventilation and heart rate is significant; if ventilation is insufficient, it can lead to hypoxia, further decreasing the heart rate.

In this context, prioritizing ventilation increases the likelihood of restoring normal heart rate levels by ensuring that oxygen is effectively delivered to the lungs and subsequently to the bloodstream. This response is critical in neonatal resuscitation and can be a pivotal factor in stabilizing the newborn.

The other options are either not aligned with the urgent need to address the immediate drop in heart rate or can contribute to further complications. Thus, focusing on enhancing the ventilation rate is essential to support the newborn’s cardiovascular response during resuscitation.