Question

The nurse is checking a newborn's 1-minute Apgar score based on the following assessment. The heart rate is 160 beats/minute; he has positive respiratory effort with a vigorous cry; his muscle tone is active and well flexed; he has a strong gag reflex and cries with stimulus to the soles of his feet; his body is pink, with his hands and feet cyanotic. Which is the newborn's 1-minute Apgar score?

Answer 1

The newborn's 1-minute Apgar score is 9, which is calculated by assigning scores of 2 for heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, and reflex irritability, and 1 for skin color since the hands and feet are cyanotic. This score is considered normal, and it indicates the baby has transitioned well from the womb.

Step-by-step explanation:

The newborn's 1-minute Apgar score, based on the provided assessment, can be calculated as follows:

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Adding these individual scores together:

2 (Heart Rate) + 2 (Respiratory Effort) + 2 (Muscle Tone) + 2 (Reflex) + 1 (Appearance) = 9 out of 10.

This Apgar score of 9 indicates that the baby has made the transition from the womb well. Although one point was deducted for the baby's hands and feet being cyanotic, which is quite common, an Apgar score of 8 or above is considered normal and typically does not necessitate any immediate medical intervention.