Final answer:
The baby scores an APGAR of 9 at 1 minute due to slightly cyanotic limbs (1 for appearance) and a perfect score of 10 at 5 minutes once the skin color normalizes to pink. The scores indicate the baby is in good health and has transitioned well from the womb to the outside world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the APGAR Score
The APGAR score, developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952, is a rapid method for assessing a newborn's health and transition from the womb to the outside environment. The scoring system evaluates five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex), activity (muscle tone), and respiration. Each criterion is assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2, with the total score ranging from 0 to 10. A high score indicates that the baby is adjusting well outside the womb, while a low score suggests that the baby may require medical assistance. The score is taken at one and five minutes after birth.
In the provided scenario, the baby is crying with good respiration and heart rate, moving all extremities indicating good muscle tone, and has a good reflex response. This would typically warrant a score of 2 for each of these categories. The baby's skin color is the only concern, as it is noted to be slightly cyanotic (blue) in the extremities or acrocyanosis at one minute but turns completely pink after five minutes. Cyanosis of the extremities alone would give a score of 1 at one minute and then a score of 2 at five minutes as the limbs are now pink.
With these considerations in mind, the baby's APGAR scores would be as follows:
- At 1 minute: 2 (Heart Rate) + 2 (Respiration) + 2 (Reflex) + 2 (Muscle Tone) + 1 (Appearance) = 9
- At 5 minutes: 2 (Heart Rate) + 2 (Respiration) + 2 (Reflex) + 2 (Muscle Tone) + 2 (Appearance) = 10
Therefore, the APGAR score for the baby at 1 and 5 minutes is:
B. 9 at 1 minute, 10 at 5 minutes