Which of the following initial steps is performed to care for a newborn?

Drying the newborn is a crucial initial step in neonatal care right after birth. This process helps to stimulate the baby's circulation and breathing by providing tactile stimulation, which is vital for transitioning from intrauterine to extrauterine life. Warmer environments can also be created post-delivery, as drying the newborn helps prevent hypothermia by eliminating the moisture from the skin and increasing warmth.

While administering steroids, providing antibiotics, and performing an echocardiogram may be part of neonatal management in specific clinical scenarios, they are not immediate initial steps for all newborns. These interventions are typically applied based on clinical indications or specific concerns that arise during further assessment of the newborn after the initial steps of care. Therefore, drying the newborn is a foundational component of immediate newborn care in the delivery room.