Final answer:
The APGAR score is a method used to assess the general wellbeing of a newborn based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration. A score of 7 or higher is normal, while lower scores may indicate the need for medical assistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The APGAR score is a method used to assess the general wellbeing of a newborn. It evaluates five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex), activity (muscle tone), and respiration. Each criterion is given a score of 0, 1, or 2, and the scores are added together to yield the Apgar score.
A score of 7 or higher is considered normal, while a score of 4-6 is fairly low, and a score of 3 or lower is considered critically low. Scores below 7 at the 5-minute mark may indicate the need for medical assistance.