Final answer:
The Apgar scale evaluates a newborn based on five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration, but does not include blood pressure in its assessment. Scores are assigned based on these criteria at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to gauge the baby's transition from the womb.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Apgar scale is a quick, easy, and painless assessment given to a newborn immediately after birth to evaluate its transition from the uterus to the outside world. The Apgar test evaluates five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex (grimace), muscle tone (activity), and respiration. Each criterion is assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2, with the scores taken at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. High scores (out of a possible 10) indicate the baby has transitioned well, while lower scores suggest the baby may need medical assistance.
Regarding the question, the Apgar scale evaluates all of the following, except blood pressure. Blood pressure is not included in the five criteria of the Apgar score. Heart rate, muscle tone, and breathing effort are part of the Apgar assessment, which does not require any instruments other than a stethoscope to be carried out.