W10a - APGAR Flashcards
When is the newborn period?
From birth to day 28 of life
What physiological adaptations must occur in the newborn period?
- Establish respirations
- Adjust circulation
- Regulate temperature
- Initiate feeding and digestion
- Regulate weight
When do most physiological adaptations occur in the newborn?
Within the first 6–12 hours after birth
Why is newborn assessment important in the first 12 hours?
To ensure physiological adaptations are occurring normally and detect complications early
What is the purpose of the Apgar score?
To assess how well the newborn is transitioning to extrauterine life
When is the Apgar score assessed?
At 1 and 5 minutes after birth
repeat at 10 and 20 minutes if the score at 5 minutes is less than 7
What 5 signs are assessed in the Apgar score?
- Heart rate
- Respiratory effort
- Muscle tone
- Reflex irritability
- Colour
How is heart rate assessed in the Apgar score?
Palpate the cord or auscultate for 10 seconds
What does an Apgar score of 3 or less indicate?
Severe distress
What does an Apgar score of 4 to 6 indicate?
Moderate distress
What does an Apgar score of 7 to 10 indicate?
Normal transition
What is a common reason newborns score 1 on colour in the Apgar test?
Acrocyanosis (pink body, blue extremities), which is common at 1 minute
Apgar: Absent Heart Rate
0
Apgar: HR < 100
1
Apgar: HR > 100
2
Apgar: Absent RR
0
Apgar: Slow RR, weak cry
1
Apgar: Good RR, crying
2
Apgar: Flaccid Muscle tone
0
Apgar: Some flexion
1
Apgar: Well flexed
2
Apgar: Unresponsive to rubbing
0
Apgar: Grimacing when rubbed
1
Apgar: Cry or active withdrawal when rubbed
2
Apgar: Blue, pale skin
0
Apgar: Acrocyanosis, blue extremities
1
Apgar: Completely pink
2
APGAR: Mnemonic
Appearance (skin colour)
Pulse
Grimace (reflex irritability)
Activity (muscle tone)
Respiratory
What is the APGAR score of an infant with the following:
HR 118
Good cry
Well flexed
Cries with stimulus
Body is pink, extremities are blue
2 + 2 + 2 +2 + 1 = 9
Normal transition
HR 80
Some flexion
Weak cry
Grimace in response to touch
Pink body with blue extremities
1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5
Moderate
Will probably need some resp support
