Apgar Scoring

The APGAR score is a quick test performed on a newborn baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The 1-minute score determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process, while the 5-minute score tells the healthcare provider how well the baby is doing outside the mother's womb. The scoring assesses five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace response (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing rate and effort). Each criterion is scored on a scale of 0 to 2, with a total score of 10 indicating the best possible condition. This nursing cheatsheet can help you learn about the APGAR scoring system and its significance in neonatal care.