The vulnerable and sick infant requires the healthcare professional to quickly assess and take action when signs of cardiac or respiratory depression are present. This chapter begins with a discussion of risk factors that predispose the newborn to cardiorespiratory depression followed by a description of the actions to be taken to avoid this depression or to alleviate the symptoms and reverse a downward spiral and concludes with a short discussion on the stabilization of the ill neonate. Although most depressed infants respond to drying, warming, positioning, suctioning, and tactile stimulation, every obstetric and neonatal unit should be adequately equipped and well prepared to handle neonatal emergencies. To provide neonatal care effectively, nurses must understand the cardiorespiratory transition and must be able to identify factors that may interfere with successful transition, comprehend the principles of resuscitation, and intervene on the basis of assessment of respirations, heart rate, and color.