After clearing the airway of a newborn who is not in distress, what is your most important action?

Keeping the newborn warm is a critical action to take after clearing the airway, especially because newborns are highly susceptible to hypothermia. When babies are born, they often lose heat quickly, as their small bodies have a high surface area-to-volume ratio. Maintaining body temperature helps prevent complications related to cold stress, such as respiratory distress and cardiac problems.

Immediately after birth, the infant should be placed in a warm environment, which can include skin-to-skin contact with the mother or wrapping them in pre-warmed blankets. This warmth promotes stability in vital signs and supports the newborn’s transition to extrauterine life, allowing them to properly regulate body functions without the stress of maintaining their temperature under cooling conditions.

Other actions, while important, can come after ensuring the newborn's temperature is stable. For instance, applying oxygen, clamping the cord, and obtaining an APGAR score are all pertinent in their own right. However, the stabilization of the infant’s thermal condition is prioritized immediately after airway clearance to maximize their chances of a healthy outcome.