Final answer:
The lower the score on the Silverman-Anderson Index of Respiratory Distress, the better the newborn's respiratory status. The scoring is based on five factors related to the infant's breathing, with 0 indicating normal breathing and a higher score indicating severe distress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Silverman-Anderson Index of Respiratory Distress is a scoring system used to assess the degree of respiratory distress in newborns. The lower the score on the Silverman-Anderson Index, the better the infant's breathing status is. A high score indicates severe distress and possibly the need for supplementary oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
The index is scored based on five factors: retraction of the chest, nasal flaring, respiratory rate and rhythm, expiratory grunt, and air entry. Each factor is scored from 0 to 2, with a score of 0 being normal and a score of 2 indicating severe distress. The total score can range from 0 to 10, with a score close to 10 indicating greater respiratory distress.