Apgar Scores

Question 1

the 1st A in Apgar:

Answer 1

appearance (colour)

0 = blue/pale
1 = body pink, limbs blue
2 = all pink

Question 2

the P in Apgar:

Answer 2

pulse (via palpating umbilicus or two fingers on chest for 10 seconds times 6)

0 = absent
1 = below 100
2 = above 100

Question 3

the G in Apgar:

Answer 3

grimace (response to stimuli, e.g. being dried, handled)

0 = none
1 = grimace
2 = cry

Question 4

the 2nd A in Apgar:

Answer 4

activity (muscle tone)

0 = limp
1 = some stretching and moving of limbs
2 = active, limbs well flexed

Question 5

the R in Apgar:

Answer 5

respiratory effort

0 = none
1 = slow, irregular
2 = good/good cry

Question 6

what does APGAR stand for?

Answer 6

appearance
pulse
grimace
activity
respiratory effort

Question 7

apgar scores should be taken…

Answer 7

at 1 minute old, 5 minutes and 10 minutes after delivery

each one should produce a score out of 10

Resus should begin before 1 minute depending on condition - apgar scores should not be used during resuscitation

Question 8

the function of an apgar score is to:

Answer 8

assess baby’s condition and need for resuscitation

any score below 3 require immediate resus, scores 7-8 are desirable results

Question 9

5 problems with apgar scoring:

Answer 9

pigmentation in non-Caucasian babies may not develop straight away - instead palms of hands or feet should be assessed for pinkness

no same standard of measurement for babies being resuscitated

do not reflect or correlate with conditions during birth (emergency c-section babies may have score of 9 or 10)

often gets taken retrospectively (if only one midwife, needs to focus on mother)

preterm babies will score low but may not require resus