Final answer:
The Apgar score measures a newborn's transition to the outside world, assessing five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration. Scores of 7 to 10 are normal, while scores below 7 may require medical attention. The scoring is done at 1 minute and again at 5 minutes after birth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Status of the Newborn: Apgar Score
The score documented in the newborn record that measures the baby's appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respirations at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth is known as the Apgar score. This score was introduced in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar to assess the newborn's transition from the womb and general wellbeing. The five criteria evaluated are skin color, heart rate, reflex (grimace), muscle tone (activity), and respiration. Each criterion is given a score of 0, 1, or 2, and the total score is out of a possible 10. A high score indicates a smooth transition, while lower scores may signal distress and the need for medical attention.
Especially critical within the Apgar criteria are heart rate and respiration, as they are essential indicators of the newborn's immediate health status. A score below 7 at the 5-minute mark necessitates medical intervention, and a score below 5 indicates an emergency. Generally, a score between 7 and 10 is considered normal for newborns.
The technique for determining an Apgar score is quick, painless, does not require any instruments apart from a stethoscope, and can be easily remembered by the mnemonic APGAR: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.